A broad coalition of political opposition figures and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared an ambitious push to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Uba Sani in the 2027 elections.
At a press conference held in Kaduna on Monday, the group comprising defectors from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political interests announced its alignment under the ADC banner to challenge what it described as “failed, discriminatory, and self-serving leadership.”
Addressing journalists on behalf of the coalition and ADC stakeholders, Malam Salihu Lukman, a former APC National Vice Chairman (Northwest), said the movement was born out of a collective desire to rescue Kaduna from “the grip of opportunistic leaders who exploit public frustration to capture power and then deepen hardship.”
Also endorsing the communique were prominent opposition figures including former ministers and senators: Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, Dr. John Ayuba, Senator Musa Bello, and Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Mikati.
Lukman said the group had adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 general elections following similar moves by opposition forces at the national level. He added that consultations and verification exercises are already underway across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas and 255 wards to establish a strong grassroots presence.
“This will not be another business-as-usual project. We will not allow ADC to become the errand platform of over-ambitious politicians. We are shelving individual ambitions to build a foundation that belongs to the people, not godfathers,” Lukman said.
Rejecting the culture of political imposition, Lukman pledged that internal party democracy would guide all decisions moving forward.
“We are determined that no one individual will hijack the ADC structure in Kaduna. Decisions will be collective, and the majority voice will be respected. The era of godfatherism is over,” he said.
The Kaduna coalition is taking its cue from a national opposition strategy to unify all non-APC elements behind a single presidential candidate in 2027, with the goal of ending APC dominance at both federal and state levels.
“What this means for Kaduna is clear: we must also unite to remove the APC and Governor Uba Sani. No single political camp can do it alone,” Lukman declared.
Responding to questions about the current ADC leadership in Kaduna, Lukman assured that all state executives remain in office with the endorsement of the party’s Interim National Chairman, David Mark. He said party registration will soon commence across the state, with centres to be established in every local government to mobilise citizens for change.
Calling on opposition politicians to avoid the pitfalls of past party fractures, Lukman urged tolerance and collaboration.
“If we’re truly against rigging, abuse of power, and marginalisation, we must first uproot intolerance and division from among us,” he added.
Concluding the address, Lukman called for divine guidance and national renewal: “May God crown our efforts with success and grant Nigeria leaders who will selflessly meet public expectations.”
The announcement signals the beginning of what is expected to be a heated political build-up in Kaduna, as opposition forces reposition ahead of the 2027 polls.