• Obidient: “Atiku and his allies have hijacked ADC”
• ADC: “That’s a lie, We ‘ll give everybody a level playing field”
By Abiola Olawale
The opposition coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform for 2027, is said to be grappling with internal anxieties as political rivalry between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has escalated.
The New Diplomat’s checks showed that the tension is threatening to have negative impact on the opposition coalition ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The intensifying power struggle within the ADC, formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), has reportedly sparked concerns about the coalition’s unity and cohesion
Recall that opposition heavyweights had united with the sole mission of unseating Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The ADC was adopted as the coalition’s party, bringing together political heavyweights like Atiku, Obi, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and two term former Rivers State Governor and erstwhile Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
However, The New Diplomat checks revealed that political anxieties surfaced as Atiku’s camp is accused of dominating the ADC’s structure.
Insiders claim that Atiku, leveraging significant financial resources, has reportedly secured control over more than 70% of the party’s key organs, including the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and state chapters.
This is coming amidst concern by forces loyal to Obi within the Coalition.
Recall that a recent leaked memo from the Obidient Movement, dated July 29, 2025, had accused the coalition of marginalizing Obi’s supporters despite their role in strengthening the bloc.
The memo purportedly signed by National Coordinator Tanko Yunusa, had expressed concerns over what he called exclusion from major decision-making processes, raising fears that Obi’s base could be alienated.
The leaked memo reads in part: “We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems.
“Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels. While we remain committed to the shared vision of building a united and formidable front for the task ahead, we must raise the following issues that our members have repeatedly flagged.
“Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made.
“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership.”
However, an insider within the ADC coalition disclosed that allies of Atiku who joined the party early have effectively seized control of the coalition.
He stated: “Over 70 per cent of the entire structure of the ADC has already been taken over by Atiku’s camp, largely because they joined the party early and have more resources.
“Members of key organs of the party, the NWC, Board of Trustees, state chapters, and others that will play a critical role in determining who becomes the party’s candidate in the next election are largely loyal to Atiku.
“In fact, in some states where the chairmen have refused to cooperate with Atiku’s group, there are ongoing efforts to forcefully implement leadership changes. These moves are aimed at ensuring that party decisions favour Atiku.
“As far as the ADC is concerned, Atiku is in charge, and many of his loyalists have taken over the structure ahead of his declaration or directive, as the case may be. Though Obi is still part of the coalition, he is struggling to catch up with Atiku’s moves.”
Another source said the situation did not come as a surprise, as Atiku funded the larger part of the takeover of ADC.
He stated, “From day one of the coalition, Atiku’s camp was ahead in the game. They made a huge amount of dollars available to persuade some ADC members to step aside and make way for the coalition leaders.
“So, it’s not surprising. That was the plan, and that is exactly what’s happening, they’ve taken over the structure. Atiku wouldn’t spend such massive resources and then fold his arms. Beyond the money, many of his loyalists and even strategists have joined the ADC. He’s doing this for himself.
“If Atiku is not contesting — but I believe he will — he will still determine whatever happens within the ADC coalition. So, while Obi, Amaechi, and others are part of the ADC, they appear to be working for Atiku, directly or indirectly.
“Look at the Mark-led NWC, Obi only nominated the National Organising Secretary in the National Working Committee out of over 25 members of the NWC.”
However, responding to speculations about the party, the ADC interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi assured that all aspirants would be given a level playing field and that the party was committed to a transparent process.
He asserted: “All stakeholders are carried along in the ADC activities. The party is not loyal to anybody and has not been taken over by anyone. The National Organizing Secretary was nominated by Peter Obi. This is the most powerful party position. So, every stakeholder is carried along.
“So, the structure of ADC, from the NWC to other structures, does not belong to Atiku or anyone. We are working alongside all our stakeholders equally to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.
“The ADC as a coalition platform is beyond 2027. We are united to rescue Nigerians from Tinubu’s APC and bring about good governance. So no division anywhere.
“There’s nothing to manage in their (Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi) ambitions. Everybody has the right to express their interest in any of those. But for us, at the level we are, we are not having that conversation at all.”
