The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed confidence in its ability to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election without relying on a coalition of opposition parties.
The party said it had secured sufficient support among Nigerians to prosecute the election independently, while opposition parties continue discussions on possible areas of cooperation.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the position known during an appearance on Arise TV, where he spoke on the party’s preparations for the 2027 election.
Abdullahi said although the coalition discussions could make the opposition’s task easier, the ADC was not dependent on such an arrangement to win the presidential contest.
“We don’t need a coalition to win this election,” he said, maintaining that the party had built enough political strength to compete on its own.
He, however, disclosed that opposition parties were still holding discussions on areas where they could work together, particularly in election monitoring and vote protection.
According to him, developing a common mechanism to monitor the election and protect votes would be an important area of cooperation among opposition parties.
The ADC spokesperson also played down the perceived political strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that political influence and prominent campaign figures would not necessarily translate into votes.
He said the 2027 election would ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters.
Abdullahi expressed confidence in the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying the party had enough time to mobilise supporters ahead of the election. He described the poll as a referendum on the performance of the Tinubu administration.
“We are confident we will win this election because we have Nigerians behind us,” he said.
Obi-Kwankwaso Movement rejects merger
Meanwhile, the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, also known as the OK Movement, has rejected proposals to merge or be absorbed into another political organisation.
The movement, established to mobilise support for the joint presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said it would remain an independent organisation while continuing to cooperate with allied groups.
The group said its decision followed a National Leadership Summit held in Abuja, attended by national leaders, geopolitical coordinators, state coordinators and grassroots mobilisers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
At the summit, the movement reaffirmed John Ughulu as its founder and Director-General and rejected proposals for his replacement.
It said the decision was based on the grassroots structure built around Ughulu’s leadership, stressing that the movement’s support network had been developed over time through ward-level mobilisation.
The OK Movement also resolved that it would not be merged into or absorbed by any external political body.
However, it clarified that maintaining its independence would not prevent it from coordinating with other groups pursuing similar political objectives.
The movement further called for reconciliation with Jacky Wayas, inviting her to return to her former position as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning.
It also appointed Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director-General (North), following the resignation of Ambassador Muhammad Auwal Musa.
The group warned that removing its Director-General or abandoning its independence could lead some grassroots leaders to withdraw from the organisation.
It said the warning was intended to provide an honest assessment of the position of its grassroots structure rather than to exert pressure on its leadership.
The OK Movement subsequently visited Kwankwaso and the head of its Advisory Council, Buba Galadima, to brief them on the outcome of the summit.
According to the movement, Galadima reaffirmed the importance of unity and advised it to retain its status as an independent support group rather than merge into the NDC.
The group said it remained committed to its vision of a better Nigeria and urged that the wishes of its grassroots supporters be respected.
