OPPOSITION COALITION TAKES SHAPE: Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai Allegedly Adopt ADC
Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai have allegedly adopted ADC as a platform for their proposed alliance.
In a significant development in the country’s political landscape, a report has emerged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform for a new opposition coalition.
According to a Bloomberg article, the trio reached this decision after a high-level meeting held on Tuesday, marking a crucial step towards the formal emergence of the long-anticipated political alliance.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed that the meeting, which included other leaders and stakeholders, resulted in the establishment of committees tasked with figuring out the coalition’s details and logistics.
While the coalition has yet to announce an official unveiling date, insiders suggest it will happen “very soon.”
The development comes as no surprise, given the ongoing efforts by various opposition groups to form a united front against the ruling party.
Speaking in an interview, Wednesday with Arise TV, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, confirmed that coalition talks were progressing, but ruled out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a viable platform for the arrangement.
Lawal explained that the PDP’s internal problems were too deep-rooted for it to serve as a credible vehicle for change. “In all the analysis I’ve seen so far, nobody has ever bothered about, ‘let’s adopt PDP as the platform.’ We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus. No antibiotic can cure what is ailing PDP, and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify, that is not willing to change.”
According to Lawal, the technical committee driving the coalition project had been weighing two main options – to form a new political party or to adopt an existing smaller party with a national spread and reform potential. “Do we get another party that we could move into, modify it, upgrade it, and strengthen it for elections, or do we register a new political party? We have technical committees of experts looking into both of this. And I am sure, as we speak, we are getting to the end of the process, and I think we’ll soon announce a party that we’ll move into, or maybe we’ll register a new party.”
However, another source has contradicted the report, claiming that the decision to adopt the ADC as the coalition vehicle is “patently false.” According to this source, three presentations were made for the platform to use by the national coalition group, including a proposal for the registration of a new political party outright, and the adoption of the ADC as the preferred coalition vehicle. “It was decided to look at the merits and demerits of each and decide on which one on the 30th,” the source confirmed.
The emergence of a new opposition coalition has the potential to shake up Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly if the coalition is able to present a united front against the ruling party. With the country’s economy facing significant challenges and citizens growing increasingly frustrated with the government’s performance, the opposition has a unique opportunity to capitalize on the situation and present itself as a viable alternative.
The success of the coalition will depend on several factors, including the ability of its leaders to work together effectively, the platform they choose to adopt, and their ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision for the country’s future. If the coalition is able to overcome its internal differences and present a united front, it could potentially pose a significant challenge to the ruling party in the lead-up to the next general elections.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain – the eyes of the nation will be on the opposition coalition, and its emergence is likely to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s politics and governance. The country’s citizens will be watching with bated breath to see what the future holds for Nigeria, and whether the opposition coalition will be able to provide a credible alternative to the ruling party.
While the exact timeline for the coalition’s emergence is unclear, sources suggest that an official unveiling could happen “very soon.” As the opposition leaders continue to iron out the details of their alliance, one thing is certain – the emergence of a new opposition coalition has the potential to be a game-changer in Nigerian politics, and its impact will be felt for years to come.
The development has sparked intense interest and speculation among Nigerians, with many wondering what the future holds for the country’s politics. As the nation waits with bated breath for more information, one thing is clear – the opposition coalition’s emergence is a significant development that could potentially reshape the country’s political landscape.
