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2027 Election: List of Prominent Former APC, PDP, LP Members Who Have Joined ADC Coalition

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ADC Vows To End APC Misrule, Opens Niger Office For 2027

A major alliance has been formed against the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria

Prominent chieftains of the APC, PDP, and Labour Party (LP) dumped their parties for the newly-adopted African Democratic Congress (ADC)

The opposition coalition movement led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently adopted the ADC as the platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

While the coalition is still solidifying its structure, influential figures who have confirmed their involvement in the movement include:

Atiku Abubakar
A former Vice President and PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections is a central figure in the coalition, signalling another possible shot at the presidency for the fourth time.

David Mark
David Mark, a former Senate President, has become the interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after following his resignation from his membership in the PDP. As a Senator, David Mark represented Benue South senatorial district from 1999 to 2019 and served as the 12th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015.

Before his senatorial career, Mark was the military Governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986 and also served as a Minister of Communication. He is recognised as the longest-serving President of the Nigerian Senate.

Prince Uche Secondus
A former National Chairman of the PDP is also reportedly involved in this strategic alliance for 2027. Secondus was acting chairman of the committee from 2015 to 2016. He became the chairman and a member of the PDP National Working Committee in 2017 and managed the party affairs until 2021, when he was suspended by the party.

Secondus was the second chairman of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, a position he held for two terms.

Aminu Tambuwal
A former Governor of Sokoto State and currently a senator under the platform of the PDP.  Tambuwal served as the 12th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2011 to 2015 and as the governor of Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023.

Tambuwal represented the Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State as an honourable member in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, and is currently a serving Senator for Sokoto South since 2023.

Liyel Imoke
As a former Governor of Cross River State, Imoke served from 29 May 2007 till 29 May 2015. He was also a cabinet minister and leader of Parliament in the former Eastern Region.

In 1992, Liyel Imoke was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the age of 30 during the transition government of Ibrahim Babangida. His term ended in November 1993 when the military regime led by General Sani Abacha dissolved the government.

Babangida Aliyu
Aliyu is a two-term former Governor of Niger State — elected in 2007 and was reelected in 2011. In the March 2015 presidential and senatorial elections, Aliyu failed in his senate race against David Umaru of the APC, who obtained 149,443 votes against his 46,459 votes.

Sule Lamido
Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, was part of the PDP stakeholders, led by Atiku, who attended a coalition meeting on Tuesday. He expressed his willingness to support any democratic efforts by patriotic Nigerians aimed at removing Tinubu, but affirmed his commitment to remain in the PDP.

Sam Egwu
As a former Governor of Ebonyi State, Egwu’s tenure lasted from 1999 to 2007. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the Minister of Education and in 2015, he successfully ran for the senatorial seat representing the Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Currently, he is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry.

Emeka Ihedioha
He served as governor of Imo State from 2019 until 14 January 2020, when he was removed from office by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which declared the APC candidate, Hope Uzodinma, the authentic winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election. Ihedioha also served as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2011 to 2015.

The former deputy speaker was spotted at the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Senator Gabriel Suswam
A former Governor of Benue State, he served from 2007 to 2015. Prior to that, he was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007. He also represented the Benue North-East Senatorial District in the 9th Senate. In 2025, Suswam lost the senatorial seat election to the APC candidate.

The former governor and ex-lawmaker was spotted at the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dino Melaye
Melaye is a former senator and member of the House of Representatives, and also a member of the People’s Democratic Party. In 2015, he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but returned to the PDP in the build-up to the 2019 elections after months of political struggle with Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. He was one of the campaign spokespersons of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and lost the governorship election in 2023.

Dele Momodu
A prominent PDP chieftain and veteran journalist who has openly criticised the current administration and predicted shifts within the ruling party.

He has declared full support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, warning President Tinubu against endangering Nigeria’s democracy in pursuit of a second term.

Rauf Aregbesola
The former Governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and the immediate past Minister of Interior, who served from 2019 to 2023. He has been appointed the interim National Secretary of the ADC, marking a high-profile defection from the ruling APC. He was a political son and close ally of President Tinubu. He served as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Tinubu’s government in Lagos State.

Nasir El-Rufai
The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State served from 2015 to 2023 and joined the coalition after facing recent political challenges within the APC, which he left for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) earlier this year. He had served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 and was also a director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

Rotimi Amaechi
As a former Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and immediate past Minister of Transportation who worked under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi is also aligning with the new opposition coalition and of the leading figures in the movement.

He was Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili and served as Rivers State’s Secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) caretaker committee during the transition programme of Sani Abacha. Ameachi was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007. He was the Chairman of Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies.

John Oyegun
Oyegun was the first national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He served as the executive governor of Edo State between 1992 and 1993. Oyegun led the APC to victory in 2015, defeating the then-ruling PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan. This marked the first time an incumbent president and a ruling party were defeated in a presidential election in Nigeria.

He was spotted at the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Abubakar Malami
Malami is the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, who worked under Buhari from 2015 to 2023. He was actively involved in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, serving as the resource person for the Manifesto Drafting Sub-Committee of the Inter-Joint Party Merger Committees. This collaboration included his former party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

In 2014, Abubakar contested for the governorship ticket of the APC in Kebbi State but later stepped down during the party primaries in favour of Atiku Bagudu.

He resigned from the APC on Wednesday, before being spotted during the unveiling of the ADC as a coalition to unseat Tinubu.

Solomon Dalung
Dalung served as the Minister of Youth and Sports of Nigeria from November 2015 to 2019.

The former minister was spotted at the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections is a key member of the coalition and was reported to have proposed a single four-year term to the movement, if considered to be its presidential standard bearer for the 2027 elections. The two-term former governor of Anambra State was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 general elections.

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Baba-Ahmed, a former senator representing the Kaduna North Senatorial District in 2011. He also represented Zaria in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. A member of the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed was the vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, alongside Peter Obi.

Senator Ireti Kingibe
Kingibe was elected a member of the Senate representing the FCT in the 2023 Nigerian Senate elections under the Labour Party. The lawmaker was spotted during the unveiling of the ADC as a coalition to unseat Tinubu.

Victor Umeh
Umeh was the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and now Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 10th Nigeria National Assembly on the platform of the Labour Party.

The lawmaker was also spotted during the unveiling of the ADC as a coalition to unseat Tinubu.

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Obasanjo’s Son Picks Side In 2027 Race

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Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has backed the re-election of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He expressed his support after joining the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), popularly known as the “Tinubu Must Stay” movement, to promote the president’s re-election agenda.

Olujonwo said his decision to join the movement was informed by his longstanding association with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his belief in the need to sustain the policies and reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

He was formally received by the leadership of TMS at a forum in Abuja, where he expressed support for the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and called for increased public awareness of its policies and achievements.

Olujonwo, who serves as president of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) and Project One Nigeria, as well as Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Housing, said he had been associated with the APC since 2014.

Explaining his political background, he said he was familiar with the party’s formation and its relationship with key political figures, including his father, former President Obasanjo, the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu.

“I have been in the APC since 2014. I was there when my father hosted the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form the movement. I am not new to the party,” he said.APC party merchandise

He argued that some of the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration were not being adequately communicated to Nigerians, adding that misinformation had contributed to negative perceptions of the government.

Olujonwo cited developments in the education sector, infrastructure and access to student loans as areas he believed deserved greater public attention.

“There is a lot of noise out there, and people are distorting what is going on. ASUU has had no strikes. Students have access to loans. Nigeria has become a massive construction site and an investors’ haven again. These are things we need to promote,” he said.

His decision to join the movement comes as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, in which Tinubu is expected to seek another presidential term.

The move also places the son of the former president within a political platform established to defend the current administration’s policies and encourage public support for continuity in governance.

Welcoming Olujonwo to the movement, the National Coordinator of TMS and Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said his background gave him an understanding of the importance of economic reforms.

Inuwa drew a comparison between the economic reforms introduced during Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and those being pursued by Tinubu, arguing that both periods involved policies intended to reshape Nigeria’s economy.

He cited telecommunications liberalisation and banking reforms under the elder Obasanjo as measures that helped establish the foundation for subsequent economic development.

“You grew up in a family that led the second wave of reforms in Nigeria. Telecommunications liberalisation, banking reforms—these laid a solid foundation. Being raised in that family, you understand what reforms mean,” Inuwa said.

He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of government policies, warning that reversing ongoing reforms could undermine investor confidence and disrupt economic progress.

According to him, maintaining policy consistency would be important for attracting investment and sustaining developments in key sectors of the economy.

“We are building investors’ confidence. The naira is becoming strong. Our stock exchange is one of the fastest-growing. The Dangote Refinery is a game changer. If we start reversing these policies, we’ll go back to where we were,” Inuwa added.

Also speaking at the event, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director-General of TMS and a former coordinator of the Obidient Movement, praised the economic policies implemented during Obasanjo’s presidency.

Ngogbehei highlighted the former president’s role in securing debt relief for Nigeria and supporting the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, describing those measures as important contributions to the country’s economic development.

He said TMS intended to promote discussions about government policies through evidence, research and public engagement rather than propaganda.

“We’re happy you have decided to take this step. Your father was one of those who revolutionised this country. The debt was paid off, and major innovations were introduced in liberalising the economy. This is not about propaganda. We will engage respectfully, factually and transparently,” Ngogbehei said.

The organisation said it had established structures across the country, including a Board of Trustees, national coordinators and specialised directorates, to support its activities.

It also plans to use digital platforms, virtual town hall meetings, policy research and fact-checking initiatives to promote the government’s policies and address what it considers misinformation about the administration.

Following Olujonwo’s reception, TMS announced plans to expand its engagement with professional associations, youth organisations and community groups across the country.

The planned activities are intended to increase public participation in governance and communicate the administration’s policies to Nigerians across different states and geopolitical zones.

Meanwhile, Olusegun Obasanjo has previously expressed concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges, arguing that the country has sufficient natural and human resources to become prosperous.

In an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, the former president questioned why Nigeria continued to struggle with poverty despite its agricultural potential, vast land, water resources and large population.Buy Maps

“Give me one reason why Nigeria should be poor. Is it the land that we don’t have or the desert that we are in or the people that we don’t have or the water that we don’t have or the rain that we don’t have?” he asked.

Obasanjo also criticised policies that encourage the importation of goods that could be produced locally, arguing that such practices discourage domestic farmers and undermine local production.

He recalled how restrictions on rice imports were introduced in 1979 to encourage domestic production, claiming that subsequent administrations reversed the policy and allowed imported rice to compete with locally produced varieties.

“When our successors came, one of the first things they did was to lift importation of rice, not to encourage production of rice but to encourage importation of rice, and the farmers couldn’t sell their own rice,” he said.

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PDP Moves to Sanction Wike Over Alleged Support for APC

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has indicated plans to take disciplinary action against members accused of working against its interests, with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among those facing criticism over his alleged support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Access Services

PDP chieftain Emmanuel Ogidi disclosed the party’s position during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.

He discussed the lingering crisis within the opposition party and the steps its leadership intends to take against members accused of undermining its activities.

Ogidi described the situation as internal sabotage and maintained that the party could no longer afford to tolerate actions that weaken its structure, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.

He accused Wike of maintaining a relationship with the PDP while allegedly supporting the interests of the APC, arguing that such conduct raised serious questions about loyalty and commitment to the opposition party.

“You can’t serve two masters. He (Wike) is supposed to be serving us in PDP, but he is serving APC. This is a threat to democracy. APC is using him to destroy democracy, and it’s deliberate, but we are very conscious of that and very soon you will hear what will happen,” Ogidi said. Access Services

The PDP chieftain’s comments suggest that the party may be preparing to take a firmer position against members it believes are contributing to its internal difficulties.

However, he did not disclose the specific disciplinary measures being considered or when any formal decision concerning Wike would be announced.

Ogidi also indicated that the party had moved beyond the demands previously presented by Wike’s camp during efforts to resolve the disagreements within the PDP.

His comments point to growing frustration among party members who believe that the disagreements have continued for too long and are affecting the party’s ability to prepare for future elections.

The dispute involving Wike and the PDP has remained a major issue within the party since the 2023 general elections, when divisions emerged over its presidential candidate, the distribution of party positions and disagreements surrounding the political future of its leadership.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, was a prominent PDP member before President Bola Tinubu appointed him as FCT minister in 2023.
His appointment placed him in the cabinet of an APC-led administration despite his continued association with the opposition party.

His role in the federal government has since generated disagreements among PDP members, with some questioning how a senior party figure can serve in an administration controlled by a political opponent while remaining associated with the PDP.

Ogidi, however, insisted that the PDP belongs to its members and supporters rather than any individual or faction.

He argued that no group should be allowed to dictate the party’s direction or prevent it from enforcing its rules.

He further warned that the party’s willingness to reconcile with aggrieved members should not be interpreted as an acceptance of indiscipline.

According to him, efforts to bring members together must be accompanied by accountability for actions considered harmful to the party.

The PDP remains one of Nigeria’s major political parties, but prolonged internal crises could affect its candidate-selection process, campaign planning and efforts to attract voters ahead of 2027.Nigeria travel guide

Despite these challenges, Ogidi maintained that the PDP remained strong and capable of overcoming its current difficulties.

He dismissed suggestions that defections, court cases and disagreements over zoning had rendered the party incapable of competing in future elections.

He said the party was focused on ensuring that its forthcoming convention was successful, describing the exercise as an important step in its preparations for the 2027 polls.

Nevertheless, the exact nature of the proposed action against Wike and other members remains unclear, pending any formal announcement by the party’s authorised organs.

The FCT minister has not been quoted in the remarks provided as responding directly to Ogidi’s latest comments.

The allegations against him should therefore be understood as the position expressed by the PDP chieftain rather than an established finding of wrongdoing.

 

 

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2027: ‘False Battle’ – APC Breaks Silence On Rift Between Wike, Governors

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports of a disagreement between its governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that both sides remain committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the reported disagreement as a ‘false battle’.

He maintained that there was no genuine conflict between the minister and members of the Progressives Governors Forum.

Morka clarified this on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s News Day, following Wike’s inclusion in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to him, the governors and the FCT Minister share a common political objective of ensuring Tinubu’s victory in the next presidential election.

“It was a false battle to begin with. I mean, I don’t think there was any real tension between those positions because they united in their extraordinary commitment to the re-election of the president,” Morka said.

He noted that the Progressive Governors Forum comprised governors elected on the APC platform, while Wike, a former Rivers State governor, was a member of Tinubu’s cabinet and a vocal supporter of the President.

According to him, publication of the presidential campaign council list had also clarified the roles of those involved in Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He said: “Governors, who are not of the APC, now [are] front and centre, coordinating some of our activities in their respective jurisdictions.”

Morka described the development as a new phase in Nigeria’s democratic politics, arguing that the President was bringing politicians from different parties together around a common objective.

The APC spokesperson claimed that the collaboration was unusual in a presidential system, stressing that Tinubu was transcending party differences by building a coalition of political actors to support his administration and re-election campaign.

He said: “We’re seeing a president who is transcending all of the divides and really nullifying what I call the politics of difference between these partisans and bringing them together under the same umbrella to pursue a common agenda for the good of the people.”

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