With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a formidable team of political heavyweights, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to spearhead a broad opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement, made at the party’s National Consultative Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, signals the ADC’s intent to position itself as the nucleus of a “Third Force” coalition, bringing together disgruntled political actors from across party lines, civil society, youth movements, and regional blocs.
According to the ADC’s National Chairman, the alliance will focus on “national unity, inclusive governance, electoral reform, and economic revival,” while presenting what they described as a credible alternative to what they called the APC’s “failing leadership.”
“We are proud to announce that respected statesmen like David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and other eminent Nigerians have agreed to guide this historic movement,” the party leader declared. “This is not just about opposition for its sake — it is about reclaiming Nigeria.”
David Mark’s inclusion comes just days after his resignation from the PDP, a move that political analysts now see as a calculated step toward forming a new political front. Rauf Aregbesola, a founding member of the APC and former Minister of Interior, has in recent times distanced himself from the inner workings of the ruling party.
The full list of coalition leaders is expected to include technocrats, activists, and former governors, with a national mobilisation strategy set to begin in the coming weeks.
Reacting to the development, a top APC official dismissed the coalition as “a gathering of political retirees and recycled players with no clear ideology.” However, supporters of the ADC-led initiative argue that the current socio-economic challenges, insecurity, and rising public discontent have created fertile ground for a major political upset in 2027.
