Nigerian Opposition Coalition on Brink of Collapse, ADC Lawmaker Claims
The opposition coalition in Nigeria, built around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), may collapse as early as September, according to Leke Abejide, the only member of the House of Representatives elected on the ADC platform. Abejide, who represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State, made this prediction while appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief program on Friday.
Abejide’s assertion is based on the coalition’s dismal performance in the August 16 by-elections, where they failed to secure a single seat. He argued that this marked the beginning of the end for the coalition, stating, “The coalition collapsed last Saturday; across the country, they could not even win one seat. By early next month, the coalition will collapse completely.”
Abejide also claimed that attempts by the coalition to “hijack” the ADC would not succeed, emphasizing that he remains the party’s “landlord.” As the sole ADC member in the House of Representatives, Abejide has never defected to a major party and has consistently contested elections on the ADC platform, bringing others into the National Assembly and state assembly.
Abejide questioned the authenticity of the coalition’s ties to the ADC, pointing out that prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were never part of the party. Although former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola have joined the ADC, neither holds a leadership position in the party.
The coalition, which includes former governors, senators, and ministers, adopted the ADC as its platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary. However, Abejide dismissed the coalition as a gathering of “selfish politicians” with no genuine plans for Nigeria, describing their attempts to utilize the ADC for the 2027 elections as a “daydream.”
Abejide’s assertion highlights the volatile nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances are constantly forming and dissolving. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the fate of the opposition coalition remains uncertain, and the ADC’s role within it is now under scrutiny.
