Opposition groups dump SDP, ADC, consider registering new party

Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai and Atiku Abubakar

Opposition groups dump SDP, ADC, consider registering new party

The proposed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections is set to begin the process of registering a new political party, following the rejection of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by stakeholders.

The development follows reports that prominent opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, may adopt the ADC as a common platform to challenge the incumbent government.

The latest move was confirmed by the League of Northern Democrats (LND), a part of the opposition movement, which declared that neither the ADC nor SDP could serve the strategic needs of the coalition.

“Following an exhaustive internal review, wide consultations and critical evaluation of the strategic pathways available to the National Opposition Coalition Group ahead of the 2027 general elections,” LND Convener Dr Umar Ardo declared on Saturday, “we, select members of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), in furtherance to our 22 May resolutions, hereby issue the following unanimous resolutions.”

According to Ardo, attempts to merge into existing parties are fraught with structural, legal and ideological risks.

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“The ADC, SDP and similar existing parties already possess entrenched ward, local government, state and zonal structures whose leadership tenures remain legally binding and often deeply resistant to reform,” he said.

“Fusing into such parties without full and prior harmonisation of interests and control of these structures invites chaos, factionalism, litigation and paralysis.”

Citing examples of past failed alliances, including the collapse of the NNPP fusion with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ardo warned of repeating history if the coalition enters a pre-existing party without full control.

He also dispelled concerns that time was insufficient to establish a new party.

“Contrary to certain fears, the timeframe between now and the 2027 elections is sufficient for a serious and focused coalition to register and build a credible new political party,” Ardo said.

“We assert that the opposition movement we advocate is not just about seizing power. It is about presenting a national rebirth rooted in values, principles and competence,” the group stated.

“A new party, by contrast, provides a clean ideological slate, a fresh institutional architecture and a compelling narrative of rebirth, one that can win the hearts and minds of Nigerians weary of recycled platforms and failed promises. ‘Sabuwar tafiya yakamata a Sabuwar Jam’iya!’”

Based on these conclusions, the LND issued a set of formal recommendations being:

“That the opposition coalition adopts registration of a new party as its first stance;
That the opposition immediately initiates the process of registering a new political party with a unifying name, clear ideology and inclusive leadership charter;
That this new party shall reflect the diversity of Nigeria while being rooted in merit, justice, productivity and patriotism;
That all conversations and moves toward fusing into existing political parties should be taken as a fallback option;
That the LND will commit itself to mobilising other patriotic actors, civil society voices and young Nigerians to rally behind this new formation as the vehicle for national redemption.”

The recommendations were signed by thirteen senior figures within the LND, including Dr Umar Ardo, AVM Monday Morgan (Retd), Senator AbdulRahman Abubakar, Rt. Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari, Dr Bilkisu Magoro, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (Retd), and others.