Abuja, Nigeria – A fierce war of words erupted on Thursday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following the latter’s accusation that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians. The spat comes amidst the recent unveiling of the ADC as a potential broad opposition coalition aimed at unseating Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike sharply dismissed the emerging 2027 political alliance. He argued that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) possesses the capacity to challenge the incumbent President, insisting that Nigerians are not giving serious consideration to the ADC.
PDP Cautions, LP Issues Ultimatum Amidst Coalition Chaos
Adding to the complexity, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified on Thursday that the party has yet to issue any official stance on joining the coalition. The PDP emphasized its current focus on internal unity and preparations for its upcoming national convention, despite some prominent figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark (now interim ADC National Chairman) publicly supporting the ADC-led initiative.
Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to resign from the party, citing his involvement with the new coalition. Obiora Ifoh, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that “desperate politicians cannot be the architects of a new Nigeria,” asserting that the party is not available for individuals with “dual agenda.”
However, a caretaker committee of the LP, led by Nenadi Usman, quickly dismissed Abure’s ultimatum as “mischievous and devoid of any legal or moral authority.” Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Usman, reaffirmed the caretaker committee’s full support for Obi’s participation in coalition efforts.
ADC Hits Back, APC and Presidency Weigh In
In a swift rebuttal to Wike’s criticism, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, claimed the FCT Minister is “unsettled” because the emerging coalition poses a significant threat to the administration he serves. Abdullahi maintained that the ADC-led coalition is a movement belonging to the Nigerian people, necessitated by the alleged failure of the current government to deliver on its promises.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the newly adopted ADC platform as “a gathering of deceivers and self-centered individuals driven by personal grudges.” Morka dismissed the coalition as an “unveiling of a coalition of hoaxers and self-obsessed merchants of vendetta,” suggesting their motivations are purely selfish.
The Presidency also weighed in, with Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, asserting that the ADC has no resemblance to the 2013 merger that birthed the APC. Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, stated, “There is no injustice to redress — only avaricious ambition to satisfy.” He argued that, unlike the APC’s emergence, the new coalition is not driven by national interest and is being led by “a serial election loser, clutching at what he clearly sees as his last shot at the presidency.”
Similarly, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, described the political realignment as “a dead on arrival party,” likening it to an “association of wild goose chasers, consisting of internally displaced politicians.”
Amaechi Calls for Citizen Action, Kachikwu Alleges Atiku’s 2027 Agenda
Amidst the political sparring, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, offered a stark assessment, suggesting the only way to prevent President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is for citizens to “take their fate into their own hands.” Speaking at a public presentation of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report, Amaechi criticized Nigerians for private grumbling while remaining passive in the face of what he called “elite domination.”
The Africa Polling Institute’s survey data, presented by its Executive Director, Professor Bell Ihua, indicated a significant lack of public trust in government institutions: 83% of Nigerians have little or no trust in the Tinubu government, 80% distrust the National Assembly, and 79% distrust the judiciary.
Meanwhile, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, raised a controversial claim, alleging that the faction of the party now led by former Senate President David Mark was “intentionally designed to make former Vice President Atiku Abubakar the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.” Kachikwu vowed to challenge the new leadership in court to reclaim the party, daring them to publicly declare that the 2027 presidential ticket will be zoned to the South.
“Contract with Nigerians” and Continued Divisions
Despite the internal and external criticisms, former National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, affirmed that the coalition plans to unveil its blueprint, dubbed “Contract with Nigerians,” in the coming weeks. He stated that the coalition, which has been in the works for the past 18 months, is now establishing its presence in all 774 local government areas and wards across the country.
However, the path forward for the opposition remains fraught with challenges, as evident in the mixed signals from the PDP and the sharp divisions within the Labour Party. Observers note that the current political landscape is marked by intense maneuvering and a lack of clear, unified direction among opposition forces as the 2027 elections draw closer.