- Members of the National Opposition Coalition Group adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general election
- ADC is seeking to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election
- Legit.ng highlights prominent northern leaders who have officially aligned with the anti-President Bola Tinubu ADC coalition
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja – Nigeria’s opposition leaders have joined African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
Although arguably the two most prominent opposition leaders from the north, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, have not officially joined the ADC, several others from the region have formally pitched their tents with the party.
Photo credit: Atiku Abubakar
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng highlights 5 top politicians of northern extraction who recently joined ADC officially.
1) Ahmed Mahmud Gumel (Jigawa)
In July, the ADC was inaugurated in Jigawa with the former deputy governor, Ahmed Mahmud Gumel, as the party’s state coordinator.
Gumel emphasised the party’s commitment to building a just and equitable society, saying:
“We call on Jigawa state people and all Nigerians to join hands with the party to create a better future for the country.”
Gumel highlighted the party’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria, emphasising the need for unity and collective effort to achieve the party’s goals. He noted that the ADC offers a viable alternative to Nigerians disillusioned with the current government.
2) Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)
Also in July, Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, resigned from the APC.
In a statement, Malami also announced his defection to the ADC.
The former minister said the decision followed “wide consultations and deep personal reflection” and described the ADC as the party of choice for a coalition committed to pulling Nigeria back from the brink of collapse.
3) Dino Melaye (Kogi)
In late July, former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, officially joined the ADC.
ADC’s membership card was officially presented to Melaye in his office by leaders of the Kogi state chapter of the party.
The former federal lawmaker disclosed this in a video he posted on his X handle.
Photo credit: Dino Melaye
Source: Facebook
4) Ahmed Babba Kaita (Katsina)
Recently, top Katsina politician Ahmad Babba Kaita was among hundreds of people who formally joined the ADC.
Babba-Kaita, a former senator who represented Katsina North district, said that they decided to join the coalition to produce good leaders who would salvage the country from the current challenges.
5) Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Adamawa)
In July, the 2023 governorship candidate of the APC in Adamawa state, Senator Aishatu Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, officially defected to the ADC.
Binani’s media aide, Maulud Usman, confirmed the development, per Daily Trust.
Binani, who represented Adamawa Central in the Senate from 2019 to 2023, made history in 2022 by defeating five male aspirants to clinch the APC governorship ticket.
She later lost narrowly to the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
Read more on 2027 election:
El-Rufai advises ADC coalition members
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that ahead of the 2027 election, Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, said presidential hopefuls Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi should stop making one-term promises.
According to Mallam El-Rufai, no one believes the duo’s one-term pledge.
The former APC chieftain said Obi and Amaechi should know from experience that four years is not sufficient to deliver meaningful reforms.
Source: Legit.ng