Politics

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

Published

1 year ago

July 5, 2025

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.

Politics

2027: ADC Suffers Setback As Popular Reps Aspirant Dumps Party

Published

2 days ago

September 7, 2026

The Daily Voice

A former House of Representatives aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Danjuma, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Danjuma, popularly known as Garkuwa Babba, was the ADC aspirant for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency and also served as National Chairman of the ADC House of Representatives Aspirants Forum.

He announced his defection after meeting with Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Naija News understands.

During the meeting, Danjuma declared his support for the APC and pledged to mobilize his political network and grassroots supporters for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said he would support Governor Yahaya’s senatorial ambition, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, and other candidates of the party.

Danjuma said his decision to leave the ADC was largely influenced by Yahaya’s leadership, performance and development record in Gombe State.

He praised the governor for what he described as tangible development across the state, saying his achievements had boosted confidence in the APC and reduced the appeal of opposition parties among voters.

According to him, joining the APC was a deliberate move to support continuity, stability and further development in Gombe State.

Receiving Danjuma, Governor Yahaya welcomed his decision to join the APC, describing the development as a major boost for the party.

The governor assured the new APC member and his supporters of an inclusive and united party, stressing the importance of unity, loyalty and collective effort.

Yahaya said the APC remained open to individuals and groups who shared the vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Gombe State.

He added that Danjuma’s political experience, network and grassroots reach would be valuable to the party.

The governor also urged APC members and stakeholders to remain united, saying the strength of the party depended on its ability to accommodate different interests while working towards the development of Gombe State.

Politics

2027; ADC Unveils Full List Of Governorship Candidates In 28 States

Published

4 days ago

September 5, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

“These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative,” the party said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released the names of its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 elections in 28 states

The list, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, includes several prominent politicians and former public officials seeking to contest the poll.

“These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative,” Mr Abdullahi wrote in a post on X on Friday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections for 6 February, 2027. It will hold alongside the state House of Assembly elections.

The remaining eight states hold their governorship elections outside of the regular election season as a result of previous court decisions. The eight states are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun.

The presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January, 2027.

ADC governorship candidates

The candidates and their running mates are Kalu Agu and Alozie Darlington (Abia); Modibbo Ribadu and Aguwa Iliya (Adamawa); and Akpanudedehe James and Nsien Tommy (Akwa Ibom); Halliru Jika and Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir (Bauchi); Herman Iorwase Hembe and Abba John Abba (Benue); Babagana Buhari and Mamman Dauda (Borno); Nkoyo Toyo and OkwoChe Andrew Adagbor (Cross River; and Great Ogboru and Afiari Gloria (Delta).

Others are Ukpai Mba Udeh and Onwe Daniel Ede (Ebonyi); Ocho Obodeze Chukwuma and Eze Arinze Christopher (Enugu); Bala Bello and Bala Sani Isa (Gombe); Sabo Mohammed Nakudu and Musa Ya’u Balarabe (Bauchi); and Isa Mohammed Ashiru and Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku (Kaduna).

There are also Ibrahim Ali Amin and Shehu Abdulkadir Bari (Kano); Ahmad Baba Kaita and Aminu Yar’Adua Ahmed (Katsina), Abubakar Malami and Zagi Musa Mohammed (Kebbi); Zakari Mohammed and Olawuyi Julius Olayide (Kwara); Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere (Lagos).

The list also includes Nuhu Angbazo and Ahmed Yusuf (Nasarawa); Mohammed Kpautagi and Musa Mamman (Niger); Biodun Collins Ogundipe and Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi (Ogun); Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke and Wahab Adeniyi (Oyo); and John Sunday Sura and Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus (Plateau).

The remaining candidates are Gabriel Pidomson and Okumgba David Amapakaye (Rivers); Manir Mohammad Daniya and Isah Bello Ambarura (Sokoto); Abubakar Umar Tutare and Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan (Taraba); Kassim G. Gaidam and Kori Lawan Mohammed (Yobe); and Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf and Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal (Zamfara).

ADC performance in off-cycle elections

Since the ADC was adopted as the platform for the opposition coalition in 2025, it has struggled to make a significant impact in the three off-cycle elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections.

In the 2025 Anambra governorship election, APGA’s Chukwuma Soludo was re-elected with 422,664 votes, defeating APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu, who polled 99,445 votes. John Nwosu, the ADC candidate, finished fifth with 8,208 votes, representing about 1.4 per cent of the 584,054 valid votes cast.

In the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, the ADC candidate, Dare Bejide, finished third with 12,872 votes, accounting for about 3.4 per cent of the 375,777 valid votes cast.

In last month’s Osun governorship election, the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 1.7 per cent (17,180) of the 985,079 valid votes cast.

Politics

Uber Exit: Tinubu Turning Nigeria Into Business Graveyard – ADC

Published

6 days ago

September 3, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of global ride-hailing brand Uber from Nigeria, alongside the shutdown or scaling down of operations by several major international companies, as further evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies are turning Nigeria into a “graveyard of businesses.”

Naija News reports that global ride-hailing company, Uber, had announced the shutdown of its operations in Nigeria, bringing an end to a 12-year presence in the country.

The company said its services would cease in Nigeria from September 2, 2026, following a review of its business operations

Uber disclosed the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing its departure from the Nigerian market as a difficult one.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the growing list of businesses shutting down, scaling back or leaving the country exposes the widening gap between the government’s claims of economic progress and the reality confronting businesses and ordinary Nigerians.

The party said it was particularly astonishing that President Tinubu and his government were celebrating a marginal 0.2 percentage-point improvement in GDP at a time when businesses are closing, jobs are disappearing and millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty.

“Certainly, a 0.2% growth does not justify the extreme hardship that Nigerians are suffering,” the party said.

He argued that while the Tinubu government celebrates a marginal improvement of 0.2 percentage points, Nigeria’s poverty rate has snowballed to 63%, affecting an estimated 140 million Nigerians.

The ADC also asked President Tinubu to explain 0.2% GDP growth to the 140 million Nigerians who have sunk into poverty since he came to power; the workers who have watched the value of their salaries disappear; businesses that have struggled with energy costs; and millions who have been forced to reduce the quantity and quality of food on their tables.

“When the President and his party say things are getting better, we expect them to tell us what has improved in the lives of Nigerians. They should tell us how much food their “GDP growth” has put on the tables. They should tell us which bill it has paid. If 0.2% is a mark of success in their books, President Tinubu and APC should tell us what they consider as failure,” the ADC said.

The party said that Uber’s exit after twelve years in Nigeria reflects the increasingly hostile operating environment confronting businesses, particularly the soaring cost of energy and transportation, with the price of fuel rising by as much as 1,700% following the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira.

“This is precisely why the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has proposed the restoration of a targeted fuel subsidy to bring down the cost of fuel, transportation and production,” the party said.

It also cited the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s earlier report that 767 manufacturing companies, including 20 iconic global brands, have shut down or ceased operations in Nigeria, while hundreds more are distressed since President Tinubu assumed office in 2024. It listed among the companies that have shut down or scaled down operations in the country to include Microsoft, Jumia and Bolt Food, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer AG, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and PZ Cussons, among others.

“Therefore, when the President announces that Nigeria has turned the corner, we wonder which corner he is talking about. If indeed the economy is improving, or the slightest hope exists in the minds of those who run these businesses that this APC government can improve the economy, why are they closing shop and moving elsewhere?” ADC asked, citing the example of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which it said shut down manufacturing in Nigeria after 50 years.

“The painful truth is that Tinubu has turned Nigeria into a graveyard of businesses. Every business that shuts down or pulls out is a vote of no confidence in the Tinubu administration and its capacity to manage the economy. Each exit delivers a blow to the economy. But perhaps, more importantly, each one represents a massive loss of jobs and increased poverty.

“Therefore, when the APC and its government celebrate even the most negligible shift in GDP numbers and flaunt that as evidence to show that things are getting better, they are immediately contradicted by the painful reality that Nigerians are getting poorer and hungrier. Those who had jobs yesterday are not sure how long it will take before their employers close shop, and those earning salaries are struggling even to transport themselves to work,” the party concludes.

ADC reiterated that its presidential candidate’s plan to subsidise the production costs of fuel to make it more affordable will bring down the cost of living, make businesses more profitable, and create jobs across sectors.