The opposition coalition has directed its members to resign from their present political parties and join the African Democratic Congress (ADC); however, no clear timeframe has been set for this transfer.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, announced this to the media in Abuja on Thursday following a caucus meeting attended by senior party leaders and important political figures.
Since the ADC was announced on July 2nd as the alliance platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, several opposition heavyweights have switched parties to join it.
However, most have yet to legally leave their current parties.
For example, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has left the Peoples Democratic Party but has not yet joined the ADC.
Similarly, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, and several others remain members of their respective parties despite their association with the alliance.
Abdullahi further indicated that all issues with the African Democratic Association have now been settled.
He stated, “Though a final order has been given to all members to resign membership of other political parties, the caucus was silent on the timeline,” Abdullahi said.
“The Coalition has vested everything concerning the ADA. That means they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association.
“All the presidential aspirants have agreed to support whoever wins the primary election,” he stated.
He also stated that the National Working Committee will shortly release the calendar for primary elections in Osun and Ekiti States in advance of the approaching off-cycle governorship elections.
The meeting was attended by National Chairman David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
In response, Bala Ibrahim, APC Director of Publicity, indicated that the ruling party is not concerned about the situation, noting that they routinely welcome defectors from other political parties.
In an interview with The Punch, Ibrahim stated, “This is nothing to frighten or put the APC in any state of embarrassment. As a matter of fact, the political atmosphere has given people room to realign. Don’t forget, the APC has been receiving an influx of people who are leaving their parties and joining the APC. So, people are at liberty to change sides and change signs as they wish.
“But I assure you, the APC will only grow in strength. If some leave, others will join, just as others are already joining.
“So, we are not bothered. We’re not bothered. We’re just at our strength. In the last elections, the recently concluded by-elections, it is clear that the ADC does not have the strength to rattle the APC. So, this is nothing to give the APC sleepless nights. You will soon see more people joining from other political parties, including from the ADC.”
Timothy Osadolor, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, applauded the ADC policy, saying it allows all political parties to identify their actual members.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Osadolor stated that there are millions of Nigerians willing to support multiple political parties and that the PDP was unconcerned with the coalition’s appeal.
He stated, “It’s not about the fortunes of the PDP. It’s about Democrats being consistent and Nigerians standing by what they believe in. For me, I believe that a man cannot be a man and a woman at the same time.
“So, it’s even good we know those who are of the ADC, those who are of the APC, and those who are of the PDP. At the end of the day, when each party looks at this database and sees whether their strength is enough or not enough yet, they will know what to do about the membership drive and Nigerians who will vote for them.
“It’s a welcome development; we are not bothered. This country has over 240 million Nigerians. I mean, how many of this population are politicians within this country? Many of them can join any party; it’s not about my party. It’s about Nigerians getting more sensitized and enlightened and becoming part of the process.”
In response, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, stated that the party has no concern of losing its chieftains to ADC.
Johnson, on the other hand, admitted that politics is a numbers game and that even if one loses some members, there is always the potential of regaining twice the numbers before a major election.
“Which of our chieftains are leaving? I don’t know who was represented in the ADC. So, I can’t talk on that. I do not believe anyone of note would be there. You see, the period we are in at the moment is like what is obtainable in football, especially in the Premier League, which is called the transfer window.
“Players come and go. As you are losing some people, you are gaining others. And we believe that we will gain more than we will lose, especially among the youth. But be that as it may, we are taking steps and talking to more people. In due time, you will know our stance towards the 2027 election, whether we will be in marriage with someone else, go alone, or be part of the coalition.
“The party and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will be pivotal in the election of 2027 because Kano and the Northwest will determine who becomes president then,” he stated.
The factional spokesman of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, declined to speak on the directive.
He said, “The ADC is an existing political party. Whatever decision they want to take, it is for them and their supporters. So, we don’t have anything to say about their party programs and policies.”
