Abuja, Nigeria – July 6, 2025
The Presidency has dismissed the newly formed opposition coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urging them to abandon any hopes of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 and instead start preparing for the 2031 presidential elections.
Presidential aide, Sunday Dare, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, described the coalition as a desperate and disjointed gathering of “political opportunists” lacking both the discipline and public trust necessary to challenge the incumbent.
“President Tinubu is barely two years into a transformative administration that has delivered reforms with courage, stability with clarity, and vision with determination,” Dare said. “The Presidency already rests with the region rightfully due. And that’s where it will be till 2031.”
Dare, a former minister and now Special Adviser on Strategy, accused members of the opposition coalition of engaging in “political harlotry” driven by “avarice and opportunism,” rather than national interest. He argued that the current coalition could not replicate the disciplined political merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
“In 2013, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu bided his time, commanding loyalty and building a viable structure. None of these individuals today can unite a ward, let alone a nation,” he said, while dismissing claims of systemic injustice as a “political fairy tale.”
Atiku, ADC Fire Back: “This is Not Desperation — It’s a Rescue Mission”
In a swift rebuttal, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed Dare’s remarks, describing the coalition as a patriotic initiative committed to rescuing Nigeria from economic hardship and political decay.
Atiku, through his media aide Paul Ibe, described the ADC-led coalition as a democratic movement rooted in open primaries, internal transparency, and a clear national agenda.
“This coalition is not a cult-like group driven by one man’s ego,” Ibe stated. “It is not about Atiku, Obi, or El-Rufai — it’s about Nigeria. The interest driving this coalition is the Nigerian interest.”
Responding to another round of criticisms from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Ibe accused the Tinubu administration of deflection and political paranoia.
“Instead of addressing the worsening hardship and insecurity in the country, they attack anyone who speaks out. That won’t work,” Ibe said. “The very people now calling others desperate are beneficiaries of a coalition in 2015. What changed?”
He also took a swipe at President Tinubu directly, saying: “If we’re talking about being ‘spent,’ look no further than Tinubu himself — a man whose background remains riddled with contradictions.”
Ibe praised the appointment of former Senate President David Mark as interim chairman of the coalition, saying it underscores the credibility and seriousness of the movement. “David Mark cannot be pushed around. He brings the stability, experience, and integrity needed to guide this process.”
Atiku: “We Will Resist Electoral Fraud, Oppose Bad Governance”
Speaking to a delegation from Gombe State at his Abuja residence, Atiku reiterated his vow to stand firm against electoral manipulation and poor leadership.
“Yesterday, I vowed to stand against the stealing of elections and oppose bad governance,” Atiku posted on his X account. “The ADC-led coalition will work assiduously to bring about change and responsible leadership.”
He recalled his contributions to Gombe State’s development, including his role in the emergence of Danjuma Goje as governor in 2003, while commending Gombe stakeholders for pledging their loyalty to the coalition.
ADC: “We Are the Alternative to APC’s Misrule”
ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, echoed Atiku’s sentiments, describing the coalition’s goal as not just the removal of Tinubu or the APC, but the restoration of Nigeria’s battered institutions and economy.
“Nigeria is already at the edge of the precipice. The cost of living is unbearable. At ₦70,000, the minimum wage is effectively worth less than ₦7,000 in real value,” Abdullahi said. “We are in a rescue mission to reverse food inflation, economic collapse, and institutional destruction.”
He emphasized that the coalition seeks to prove that a better and credible alternative to the APC exists and is ready to lead.
What’s Next?
As the political temperature rises ahead of the 2027 elections, the sharp rhetoric from both the ruling party and the opposition coalition suggests a high-stakes showdown. Whether the ADC-led alliance can evolve into a formidable force capable of matching the APC’s structure and resources remains to be seen.
But for now, the Presidency insists there is “no vacancy in Aso Rock till 2031.” The opposition, however, seems determined to prove otherwise.
Reporting by Odey Otunu
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