Nigeria’s main opposition figures, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Abubakar, a former vice-president and five-time presidential contender, and Obi, a popular former governor of Anambra State, have broken away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) respectively. Their alliance under the ADC banner is seen as a strategic move to avoid splitting the opposition vote, a major factor that handed Tinubu a narrow 2023 victory with just 37% of the vote.
Their decision follows months of behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at forging a united front. The move has also attracted several political heavyweights, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-APC stalwart Nasir El-Rufai, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, further boosting the coalition’s national profile.
Though the ADC has been a minor player since its founding in 2005, the new influx of high-profile politicians could transform it into Nigeria’s leading opposition party. The party currently holds two seats in the House of Representatives and has a wide national spread that is expected to be enhanced by new resources and support.
The big question remains whether Abubakar and Obi can work together on a single ticket. While speculation mounts about Abubakar taking the lead with Obi as running mate, Obi has publicly declared his intention to contest for the presidency again.
Tinubu, who is expected to seek re-election despite concerns over his health, still enjoys the advantages of incumbency. Analysts are split on the impact of the new alliance, with some predicting a stronger opposition and others pointing to the historical difficulty of unseating a sitting president in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the PDP and LP are grappling with internal crises and the loss of key figures, placing the ADC in a strong position to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
