A major faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected a move by an opposition coalition to adopt the party as its political platform, describing it as an undemocratic and unilateral decision made without proper consultation.
In a statement released by the faction’s national publicity secretary, Musa Isa Matara, the group condemned the development, insisting the ADC cannot be hijacked by political elites for personal interests. The faction criticized what it termed an attempt to “sell out the soul of our party,” and warned that such moves could destabilize the party’s internal structure.
Matara explained that the reported merger was never discussed with key stakeholders such as state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators. According to him, the ADC is a party owned by its members and not a tool for elite deal-making.
The statement followed a high-profile meeting in Abuja involving notable opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu, Sam Egwu, Aminu Tambuwal, and Liyel Imoke.
At the gathering, the coalition announced the adoption of the ADC as its platform, naming David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary, respectively. Bolaji Abdullahi was also introduced as the coalition’s spokesperson.
However, Matara declared that the party leadership was neither informed of nor involved in the move. He stressed that any appointments made at the Abuja meeting lacked legitimacy, as they were not ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee or approved through a national convention.
He reaffirmed the ADC’s openness to alliances but insisted such partnerships must follow due process and reflect the will of grassroots members.
Matara also pointed out that the party is still grappling with unresolved legal disputes from the 2023 general elections. He warned that merging under such unsettled conditions would be both reckless and counterproductive.
What you should know
A faction of the ADC has rejected the opposition coalition’s move to use the party as its political platform, citing lack of consultation, internal legal issues, and concerns over party sovereignty. The group insists that any merger or alliance must be democratic and inclusive of the party’s grassroots membership.
