ADC Reacts to Defections, Says Tinubu Benefiting from Opposition Disunity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it has overcome major internal challenges following a recent Supreme Court decision, which it claims restored full leadership authority to the party ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, explained that the ruling enabled the party to resume core activities such as organising primaries and selecting candidates for upcoming elections.

Reacting to the defection of key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdullahi admitted that the development has complicated opposition strategy. He noted that the exit of the politicians has shifted the electoral landscape into a more fragmented contest, which he said could inadvertently strengthen the ruling party’s position.

On internal disputes and legal concerns, Abdullahi dismissed suggestions that ongoing court cases threaten the stability or electoral readiness of the ADC. He insisted that the party continues to function within the legal framework and that internal disputes are being exaggerated by external observers. According to him, leadership matters within political parties remain internal issues that do not prevent participation in elections.

Addressing claims of internal imposition of candidates, Abdullahi rejected allegations that the ADC is controlled to favour specific individuals. He said the party is committed to a transparent primary election system, where all aspirants are given equal opportunity to contest. He further argued that some politicians who left the coalition did so because they were unwilling to participate in competitive internal processes.

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On zoning and electoral strategy, the ADC spokesman said the party has not adopted any rigid position on regional rotation for the presidency ahead of the 2027 elections. He explained that the party’s decisions will be guided by electoral viability and strategy rather than geographical considerations, stressing that opposition parties must prioritise winning capacity over zoning arrangements.

Abdullahi also alleged that the emergence of the NDC and related political developments are part of a broader effort to weaken opposition unity in Nigeria. He claimed that such fragmentation ultimately benefits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the country approaches the 2027 elections. The Presidency has not responded to the allegation at the time of this report.

On governance and electoral issues, he criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for reforms to strengthen its independence and improve electoral credibility. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Tinubu administration, citing economic hardship, insecurity, and declining living standards.

The ADC spokesman further questioned the independence of the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, arguing that the separation of powers is being weakened in the current political environment.

Despite these concerns and recent defections, Abdullahi reaffirmed that the ADC remains committed to building a strong opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the party’s focus remains on ideological clarity, democratic processes, and offering Nigerians what it describes as a credible alternative to the current administration.

ADC Reacts to Defections, Says Tinubu Benefiting from Opposition Disunity

Inside APC Power Struggle as Akpabio, Oshiomhole Eye Senate Control

Political tension within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly deepening as the face-off between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole is increasingly being interpreted as an early signal of a wider power struggle ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party insiders say the disagreement is part of a broader realignment within the ruling party, with control of the National Assembly leadership and the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) emerging as key battlegrounds for influence ahead of the next political cycle.

Sources familiar with developments in the party disclosed that recent tensions were partly triggered by a failed attempt to restructure leadership within the PGF, including moves linked to the possible removal of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as chairman of the forum. Although the plan was later reversed, insiders say it exposed underlying fractures within the APC, especially among competing blocs aligned to different power centres within the presidency and party hierarchy.

There are also claims that some influential actors within the political establishment had supported discussions around replacing Uzodinma with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, further intensifying speculation about internal political realignment within the APC.

At the heart of the growing tension is the struggle for control of the Senate leadership structure, which insiders say is already shaping alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. Reports suggest that Senate President Akpabio has begun positioning for influence over a possible self-succession arrangement in the upper chamber, a move that has reportedly unsettled rival political blocs within the party.

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Although the next National Assembly elections are still months away, political calculations have already begun, with lawmakers quietly engaging in lobbying and strategic positioning for key leadership roles.

Senator Oshiomhole is also believed to be interested in the Senate Presidency, a factor that has contributed to rising tensions within the Senate leadership structure. Other political heavyweights reportedly considering the same position include former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari and other influential figures within the APC, setting the stage for what insiders describe as a high-stakes leadership contest after the 2027 elections.

Political observers say the unfolding rivalry reflects deeper succession politics within the APC, with multiple blocs already positioning themselves ahead of the post-2027 political order. The tensions are also linked to broader efforts to influence both legislative and executive power structures, including governorship alignments, Senate leadership control, and party hierarchy restructuring.

Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong influence over the party and National Assembly since 2023, analysts note that internal competition has remained active beneath the surface, with various factions seeking greater control ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The current situation also brings back memories of the 2023 Senate leadership race, where despite strong backing for Akpabio, Senator Yari reportedly mounted a significant challenge and secured substantial support, highlighting the competitive nature of internal APC power struggles.

As political actors continue to position themselves ahead of 2027, the Akpabio–Oshiomhole rift is increasingly seen as a reflection of deeper structural tensions within the APC. Analysts warn that how the party manages these emerging divisions may play a crucial role in determining its cohesion, legislative stability, and electoral strength in the next general election.

Inside APC Power Struggle as Akpabio, Oshiomhole Eye Senate Control

Baba-Ahmed Defends Move Against NDC, Says Jonathan Ineligible for 2027

A former political adviser and opposition figure, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has defended his decision to challenge the registration of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that his opposition to the party has nothing to do with personal disagreements with prominent politicians such as Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Speaking amid growing controversy over his planned court action against the party, Baba-Ahmed said the issue was rooted in constitutional principle and the need to protect democratic legitimacy in Nigeria.

According to him, the NDC registration failed to comply with mandatory requirements laid down by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of political parties.

“This is entirely about constitutional principle. I have no personal quarrel with Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso,” he said.

He alleged that the party neither submitted a formal application nor paid the mandatory administrative fee required for registration, adding that it did not participate in INEC’s official registration process.

Baba-Ahmed claimed the party secured recognition through what he described as “judicial manipulation” and accused INEC of surrendering its regulatory authority by refusing to challenge the court judgment that ordered the party’s registration.

He explained that political associations seeking registration are required to complete INEC’s Form EC15A online after paying a mandatory N2 million administrative fee to obtain access to the commission’s registration portal.

According to him, applicants are expected to upload party constitutions, manifestoes, executive members’ details, affidavits and other documents for verification before approval can be granted.

“But in the case of the NDC, it did not pay the N2 million mandatory administrative fee, it did not collect the access code, therefore it did not fill the Form EC15A and it did not upload anything at all as required by law,” he alleged.

Baba-Ahmed said he had obtained Certified True Copies of the court processes and judgment relating to the NDC registration controversy and claimed none of the fundamental registration documents were presented before the court.

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He argued that allowing such a process to stand would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.

The former adviser also dismissed claims that his position was motivated by bitterness over the refusal of INEC to register his own political platform, ADA.

He maintained that ADA complied with all constitutional and regulatory requirements while the NDC allegedly bypassed the established process.

On the 2027 presidential election, Baba-Ahmed said former President Goodluck Jonathan was constitutionally barred from contesting again.

He cited a Supreme Court judgment and a constitutional amendment signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which he said limits a vice president who completes the tenure of a deceased or removed president to only one additional elected term.

“A person who was sworn in as president to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to that office for more than a single term,” he quoted from the Constitution.

According to him, Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional limit after succeeding late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and subsequently winning the 2011 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed also criticised INEC for what he called regulatory failure, accusing the commission of publishing names of NDC officials on its website without adequate legal basis.

He said the commission should immediately appeal the judgment that led to the party’s recognition and enforce its regulations without bias.

On zoning and power rotation, Baba-Ahmed said competence and constitutional integrity should matter more than regional considerations.

He stated that Nigerians should focus on whether candidates emerge through legitimate democratic processes rather than whether they come from the North or South.

“I will support whoever demonstrates radical integrity,” he said while refusing to endorse either President Bola Tinubu or any opposition candidate ahead of the next general election.

He warned Nigerians against blindly supporting politicians based on reputation alone, accusing some opposition figures of lending credibility to what he described as an illegitimate political structure.

Describing the NDC as “constitutionally inaccurate,” Baba-Ahmed argued that the party lacked what political philosopher Hannah Arendt called “public natality” — the legitimate democratic birth of a political institution through due process.

Despite his concerns about the state of the opposition and democratic institutions, Baba-Ahmed said he still believed in democracy but warned that Nigerians must remain vigilant in defending constitutional order.

He urged citizens to critically examine how political parties and candidates emerge, insisting that democratic legitimacy in Nigeria must never be sacrificed for political convenience.

Baba-Ahmed Defends Move Against NDC, Says Jonathan Ineligible for 2027