Barring any last-minute change, the anti-Tinubu coalition is set to announce the African Democratic Congress as its adopted platform.
CEOAFRICA source also gathered that former Senate President, David Mark, would serve as the Interim National Chairman of the party.
The decisions were reportedly taken by leaders of the anti-Tinubu group, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
Three credible sources confirmed that Mark had accepted to be the new leader of the party.
Sources noted that the coalition was still in the process of selecting a National Secretary following the decision of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and Senator Ben Obi to decline the offer.
Insiders said a consensus would soon be reached on the position of the national secretary, adding that the ADC would be officially unveiled later this week.
The coalition President Tinubu’s administration has experienced a mix of achievements and setbacks across various sectors.
However, opposition leaders from different political parties have consistently criticised the All Progressives Congress-led government, describing it as a failure.
Despite their criticisms, the major opposition parties—including the PDP LP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Social Democratic Party —have all been grappling with internal crises.
In response, on March 20, Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and others announced in Abuja the formation of a coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The announcement ignited nationwide discussions about the potential for a united opposition, with political observers sharing mixed reactions.
Over the past three months, there have been various reports speculating on which political platform the coalition would adopt.
Multiple sources confirmed to CEOAFRICA source that the SDP was rejected due to the dominance of President Tinubu’s loyalists within its structure.
Coalition finalises plans
One of the reliable sources disclosed to our correspondent that the coalition leaders would meet in Abuja on Wednesday to finalise all unresolved matters.
He stated, “What I can tell you is that we have all agreed on the ADC as the national coalition platform. So, ADC is our party, and that has been settled.
“Another significant development is that we have all agreed that former President of the Senate, David Mark, should serve as the Interim National Chairman.
“We would have also resolved the issue of the National Secretary, but Aregbesola turned it down. He cited age and mentioned that his wife advised him to slow down. Senator Ben Obi also declined the offer. So, we will settle that later.
“We had planned to unveil the party already, but Labour Party’s Peter Obi said he wanted to consult with his supporters, including a governor and some lawmakers. Hopefully, we will make the official announcement this week. And we will all leave our political platforms for the ADC.”
Another key figure involved in the movement revealed that loyalists of the leaders participating in the alliance had already begun integrating into the ADC.
He stated, “We adopted the ADC because time is no longer on our side, and INEC appears unwilling to register some of the political parties we previously proposed.
“The agreement is that we will all leave our various parties and move to the platform we’ve agreed upon—ADC. Once it is unveiled, you will see each of us formally dumping our former platforms for the coalition party.
“We have an important meeting scheduled for next Wednesday to finalise other key issues, including the position of National Secretary. David Mark has already agreed to serve as the National Chairman.
“Our people have already joined the ADC. The current National Chairman of the ADC, along with some members of the party’s National Working Committee, will voluntarily step down to make room for the coalition leaders and ensure equitable distribution of party offices.”
Reacting to the development, the National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, described Mark as one of the most disciplined Nigerians and a suitable leader for the party.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA source, Nwosu said he was prepared to step down from his current position to make way for Mark.
According to him, a major announcement will be made once negotiations are finalised later this week.
He stated, “I am aware of the development. The conversation has been ongoing for about 18 months. We are all committed to rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC. Enough of poverty and insecurity.
He stated, “I am aware of the development. The conversation has been ongoing for about 18 months. We are all committed to rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC. Enough of poverty and insecurity.
“There is no better detribalised Nigerian that can lead ADC than former Senate President, David Mark.
“What we are doing is beyond politics and power grabbing, and if you look at it, one of the most disciplined, committed, and someone who thinks Nigeria first is former President of the Senate, David Mark.
“No better person to do the job of ADC National Chairman and bring everybody together beyond politics than David Mark. I am ready to step aside and sacrifice for Nigeria.
“To me, Nigeria comes first. Our democracy has been compromised beyond everything, so we must move forward.”
In response to a question about when these political heavyweights will be formally welcomed into the party, Nwosu said, “In various ways, most of them have already been integrated. For example, in Anambra State, the person flying the ADC ticket is a chieftain of the Labour Party, and the running mate is a member of the PDP. So, these are LP and PDP leaders contesting under the ADC platform — you can see it’s already working.
“Eighty per cent of those vying for various offices in the Federal Capital Territory under the ADC were, at some point, members of the PDP, LP, and even the APC.
