A major political development has taken shape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, have been appointed as the interim National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ADC is now emerging as the political platform for a grand opposition coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement followed a high-level strategy meeting held on Tuesday night in Abuja, where key stakeholders from various opposition camps converged to finalise leadership decisions.
Although details of the closed-door meeting were not officially made public, multiple credible sources confirmed the outcome, noting that the appointments of Mark and Aregbesola were unanimously agreed upon by coalition leaders. These sources, however, chose to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak on record.
This development puts to rest months of speculation regarding the platform that would anchor a united opposition front. The emerging coalition includes high-profile political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, among others. Their collective decision to rally behind the ADC is seen as a strategic move to present a viable alternative to the APC ahead of the next presidential election.
In his acceptance speech as interim Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola laid out a clear and passionate vision for the future of the party. He declared that the African Democratic Congress must evolve into a values-driven institution – not merely a vehicle for personal ambition or political opportunism.
Drawing inspiration from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), he stressed that the supremacy of the party over government must be anchored on ideology, principle, and a people-focused struggle.
Aregbesola decried the current state of most political parties in Nigeria, describing them as “empty shells” that rise and fall on the basis of personalities and power struggles, rather than on service or ideology. He pledged to build a party rooted in democratic principles, rule of law, transparency, social justice, accountability, and sustainable national development.
The former Osun governor further promised to institutionalise internal democracy within the party, ensure transparent intra-party processes, and empower party organs to function effectively.
He also emphasised inclusion, vowing to give real political voice and roles to women, youth, and marginalised groups. Equally, he highlighted the importance of integrating and supporting key societal stakeholders, including educators, farmers, security personnel, people with disabilities, and workers.
Aregbesola expressed the party’s commitment to adopting international best practices in political organisation, citing countries like South Africa, Sweden, Kenya, and Chile as models for party ethics, discipline, and governance. “Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Aregbesola called on members and Nigerians at large to not only support the party’s mission but to hold its leaders accountable. “Our work must meet the hopes and expectations of the Nigerian people,” he said. “Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”