Politics

2027: Politicians with presidential ambition in ADC Coalition

Published

10 months ago

July 6, 2025

Advocate News Nigeria

Unveiling of the ADC Coalition in Abuja

Spread the love

The new opposition coalition on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), continues to make headlines in Nigeria following its unveiling at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja earlier this week.

Following the adoption of the ADC as the coalition party, former Senate President, David Mark, and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, were appointed interim National Chairman and interim National Secretary respectively.

The ADC Coalition, which includes prominent political figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others, has as its members, politicians like the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun; and former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, among others.

While the list of notable politicians with presidential ambition currently in the coalition seems inexhaustible, the unveiling of the coalition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sparked strong criticisms from the Presidency, the ruling APC, and, most recently, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

As the coalition party continues to gather momentum across the country, there seems to be more possible alignments and realignments across party lines ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Therefore, Tribune Online takes a look at this coalition party of familiar faces and those who are likely to seek the party’s presidential ticket for a ‘showdown’ with the ruling APC’s President Tinubu:

1. Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a very familiar face in the race for Aso Rock before Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

In 1993, Atiku contested the SDP presidential primaries but lost to Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe.

Atiku, who ruled the country as the number two citizen alongside then President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, left the PDP and contested the presidential election under the platform of the Action Congress (AC), against Shehu Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP who won the election.

The former Vice President showed interest in the number one seat in 2011 but lost the PDP ticket to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Ahead of the 2015 elections, Atiku also contested and lost the presidential ticket of the newly formed APC to General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

For another shot at the presidency in 2019, Atiku returned to the PDP and secured the party’s ticket but lost to the APC’s Buhari, who secured re-election.

In the last general elections — precisely 2023 — Waziri Adamawa ran again on the platform of the PDP, against Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. Atiku was defeated by the incumbent President.

While Atiku has not openly declared his intention to let go of his over 20-year ambition of attempting to be Nigeria’s President, many consider him a possible candidate to fly the flag of the ADC Coalition in the 2027 presidential elections.

2. Peter Obi

This former Anambra State governor ran alongside Atiku Abubakar, as running mate, in the 2019 general elections where Nigerians re-elected the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari.

For 2023, Peter Obi joined the Labour Party and turned the presidential election into a three-horse race — keenly contested between himself, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and the winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.

Peter Obi’s first direct shot at the presidency made him a thorn in the flesh of the ruling APC due to his youth-led support base dubbed the ‘Obidient Movement’. Many also believe Obi’s candidacy was considered a South-East chance to rule the country since the return to democracy.

While Obi has not officially left the embattled Labour Party, his romance with the ADC Coalition positions him as one possible candidate for the party in 2027.

Tribune Online reports that the 2023 LP presidential candidate has submitted a proposal to the Opposition Coalition seeking a one-term presidency if given the ticket.

3. Rotimi Amaechi

Amaechi is one of the politicians in the ADC who had been in positions of power until 2023. Amaechi won a seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly in 1999 and subsequently became the House Speaker until 2007.

After his time as speaker, Amaechi became the Rivers State governor in 2007 and spent eight years in charge of the oil-rich state.

As one of the G-7 governors who worked against Jonathan for the 2015 general election, Amaechi joined President Buhari’s cabinet as a minister in 2015 and continued until 2023.

But ahead of the 2023 poll, precisely on April 9, 2022, Amaechi also declared his interest to contest the presidential primary of the APC but lost the ticket to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is now the incumbent president.

Like Peter Obi, Tribune Online reports that Amaechi has also declared readiness to serve a one-term presidency if considered to fly the flag of the opposition coalition against President Tinubu in 2027.

4. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

Like Amaechi, Tambuwal has also been in position for over two decades. While Amaechi left in 2023, Tambuwal is still a serving Senator.

The man who spent 12 years in the country’s green chamber, the House of Representatives, was first elected in 2003. In 2011, Tambuwal became the 12th Speaker of the House and served until 2015.

Following his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal returned to Sokoto to become governor — a position which he held until 2023.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Tambuwal also declared interest in gunning for the number one political office in the country but later stepped down for Atiku at the May 2022 primaries of the PDP.

Subsequently, Tambuwal was given the party’s senatorial ticket for Sokoto South and has been at the Senate since 2023.

5. Dele Momodu

As a veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu was a chieftain of the opposition PDP until recently, when he disclosed his readiness to pitch a tent with the coalition against Tinubu.

The publisher of Ovation Magazine also ran for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections. However, he lost to Atiku Abubakar, who flew the party’s flag against Tinubu in 2023.

Although Dele Momodu has not declared whether he will also contest the ADC Coalition ticket against the likes of Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi, his previous attempt to secure the PDP ticket makes him one of the politicians with presidential ambition currently in the ADC.

While the above are listed based on their past declarations of interest in the presidency, there are many other politicians with presidential ambition currently in the ADC Coalition whose interest in the number one seat will be made known ahead of the party primaries. (Nigerian Tribune)

Politics

Atiku says 2027 presidential election will be his last outing

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar

Spread the love

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the 2027 presidential election will be his final outing, citing his age as the primary reason.

The former Vice President made this commitment on Wednesday during an appearance as a guest on the Arise Television programme, Prime Time.

Speaking during the interview, he said, “The 2027 election will be my last outing.”

When asked why Nigerians should vote for him after so many attempts, especially considering his age, Atiku explained that since Nigeria faces a leadership crisis, he represents both the past and the future of the nation.

He recommended leadership training for young Nigerians, asserting that the country was in dire need of it.

Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since entering partisan politics.

He took his first shot at the presidency in 1993 during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.

He later ran in 2007 under the Action Congress (AC) banner, losing to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

In 2011, the former Vice President contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but lost the nomination to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He subsequently returned to the PDP to contest the 2019 presidential election, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Most recently, in 2023, he again emerged as the PDP candidate but lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Politics

ADC won’t surrender to tyranny — David Mark

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Spread the love

• ADC will win 2027 election —Atiku

•We need viable candidate to defeat Tinubu —Amaechi

•Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts —Obi

•Renewed Hope is a scam —Aregbesola

NATIONAL Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, on Tuesday, said the party would not surrender to attempts being made to silence the voice of the people and destroy democracy in the country.

He stated this while speaking at the eighth national convention of the ADC held at Rainbow Events Centre, Abuja.

Mark said since the beginning of the current journey, the ADC had faced many challenges and hurdles as well as fierce and unprecedented betrayal.

He noted that recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have raised fundamental questions about the process that govern our democracy.

However, he told those who orchestrated the obstacles before the ADC that they have not weakened them but rather welded them together, stressing that “Every attempt to suppress this party has only deepened the resolve of our members, widened our coalition, and reminded Nigerians why a strong opposition is not optional; it is essential to democracy’s survival.”

He said, “Forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us; through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstruction. They sought to stop this convention from happening. They removed our names from official portals. They denied us preferred venues. They deployed every instrument available to them to ensure that you – the delegates, the members, the owners of this party – would never gather. But we are here.

“At our recent press briefing, we made it clear that the integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all times. We also made it clear that in an ever shrinking democratic space that is orchestrated by those in the ruling party, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat.

“Dear party members and leaders, let me remind all of us that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort. They are built in times like this, when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.

“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy. To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy.

“And let us here be the answer to every doubt, every threat, and every shenanigan designed to keep Nigeria trapped in a one party future. The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people – and the Nigerian people have spoken by showing up today.”

Mark, who said he accepted the responsibility to lead the party with an unshakable commitment to reposition the ADC as the platform through which Nigeria will be rescued and rebuilt, described the convention as one of the most significant gatherings in recent Nigerian democratic history because it represented the unyielding survival of opposition democracy in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, and a former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, urged party leaders and members to be united and resilient amid escalating political pressure.

He described the gathering as defining moment, noting that the convention represented not just a meeting but a convergence of purpose to rebuild Nigeria.

ADC will win 2027 election – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed optimism that the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) will win the forthcoming general elections in 2027.

The Waziri Adamawa stressed the need for all leaders in the party to bring genuine change to tackle all challenges facing the country.

He said, “Every issue, every challenge, every problem confronting us as a country and as a people has been stated on this platform “What I would like to appeal to Nigerians, and particularly members of the ADC, is to make sure that this time around, we really need to change the situation in the country.

“I remember when the APC was being formed, the entire political leadership in this country came to my house. They said, “If you don’t come into the APC, this is not going to be possible.” They literally compelled me to join the APC. Only for us to enter the APC, our economy is gone, our sovereignty is gone, our security is gone, our education is gone, our infrastructure is gone. The healthcare is gone.

“Now, people like me, we must rise and make sure that there is change, genuine change, a serious change to rectify all these challenges that are happening in the country. I am in this game. We are going to win. Because of you, the young men and women, our children and our grandchildren, this country has been good to us.

“And we don’t believe that this country is being good to the current generation, to the youth, to the women, and to the future of this country. That is why we are here today”

ADC needs viable candidate to defeat Tinubu – Amaechi

Also speaking, a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said only a viable candidate can defeat Tinubu in 2027.

He said the economic situation in the country was so bad that the citizens might find it difficult to buy fuel and eat food with the collection of annual company tax.

He said, “June is here. When they start collecting annual company tax, you will see what will happen. Nobody can buy petrol. Nobody can feed. Let me repeat for those who attack me. If you Nigerians are not hungry, I am. You can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible.

“And if you think President Tinubu will give you power, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together, decide on a viable candidate. It must be a viable candidate. We did it in APC. When we joined APC, we looked for a viable candidate and we stopped them. No ethnicity, no religion. We are back to square one. It’s ethnicity and religion that brought you here. It’s religion, religion. Today, we are here, no Muslim market, no Christian market. The market is Naira. This is up to you.”

Nigeria heading to disaster with huge debts – Obi

Also speaking, the ADC chieftain and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, underscored the need for unity among critical stakeholders for the sake of the country.

He criticised the government for Nigeria’s ranking in terrorism, increased debts profile, borrowing amidst subsidy removal, and non funding of 2025 budget.

Renewed Hope is a scam – Aregbesola

While presenting the statutory Secretariat Report titled “ADC is Unstoppable because It Is the Son of Nigeria”, the ADC National Secretary and a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, described President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a scam.

Aregbesola said President Tinubu ought to have stepped aside for failing to provide steady electricity supply. (Tribune)

Politics

Amaechi, Tambuwal, Galadima blasts FG over pressure on opposition, economy

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Spread the love

Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday openly criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of restricting citizens’ rights, putting pressure on institutions and worsening the economic situation, as other political figures warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing growing strain.

The comments, made at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention, reflected a wider mood among opposition figures, who spoke about political pressure, concerns over the judiciary and the daily realities of hardship and insecurity, while urging greater unity ahead of future elections.

Those who spoke included Amaechi; Former Sokoto state governor Aminu Tambuwal; and opposition figure, Buba Galadima, among other leaders present at the convention.

“What do you say to these men? Men who have no shame. What do you say to the President? What do you say to his officers? They have no shame,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi questioned attempts to stop political gatherings, saying such actions go against constitutional rights, and suggested that those in power were no longer concerned about public opinion.

“Why would a government official try to deny you your right to gather when the Constitution says you can gather?” he asked.

He also spoke about the economic pressure on businesses and ordinary Nigerians, pointing to taxes and asking how government revenue is being used.

“Company tax is now 30%. It means if you have 100 million in your account as a company, they will take 30 million. What are they doing with the money?” he said.

Amaechi linked the situation to insecurity across parts of the country, describing people fleeing their communities and questioning the response of those in authority.

“Your citizens are trekking from one village to another. And you’re doing nothing,” he said.

He warned that the situation could get worse, especially as financial pressures increase, and urged Nigerians to look closely at their living conditions.

“If you Nigerians are not hungry, you can attack me as much as you want. The situation is bad. It’s terrible,” Amaechi added.

‘Let no judge be used to destroy Nigeria’ — Tambuwal warns Judiciary

Aminu Tambuwal focused on the role of the judiciary, warning against outside influence and urging judges to act with integrity at a critical time.

“Let no judge or justice allow himself to be used to destroy Nigeria. History is taking note of our roles as individuals,” Tambuwal said.

He reminded those in positions of authority that their decisions carry long-term consequences and stressed the importance of accountability.

“Those of you who are in privileged positions should be accountable… God Almighty is watching over you,” he said.

Tambuwal also spoke about the need for political actors to work together, describing the moment as one that requires collective effort rather than individual ambition.

“It is about unity of purpose and ambition for this country. It is about our vision and collective desire to rescue Nigeria,” he added.

‘We were threatened out of venue’ — Galadima

Buba Galadima said the convention itself nearly did not hold, alleging that the venue was withdrawn under pressure from authorities.

“We got a message that this venue was actually cancelled because the owner was threatened, that if he allows us to be here, they will revoke his certificate of occupancy,” Galadima said.

He said organisers went ahead with the event despite the situation, describing it as a necessary stand.

“Even if Abuja will burn to ashes today, we will hold this convention in this hall. And so we did,” he said.

Galadima warned that similar pressure could affect political activities going forward and urged those involved to remain firm.

“They may not even allow us to campaign in Nigeria. We must assert ourselves whether they like it or not,” he added. (Vanguard)