Mark, Aregbesola to Lead ADC as Opposition Coalition Targets Tinubu

Nigeria’s opposition landscape witnessed a major shift on Tuesday as a coalition of opposition groups adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new platform and appointed former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman, alongside former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary.

The appointments were announced at a strategic meeting of top opposition leaders in Abuja. Though yet to be formally ratified, they are expected to be confirmed at a follow-up meeting slated for Wednesday.

Kola Ologbondiyan, a former aide to Mark and ex-national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), confirmed the development in a post on X.

According to him, “African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the Interim National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the Interim National Secretary.”

In his acceptance remarks, Aregbesola declared that the ADC must set itself apart from the country’s traditional political structure by becoming an ideologically-driven platform.

“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.

“That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve. We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria not just during elections, but in everyday governance”, he said.

Aregbesola who acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead, expressed confidence in the coalition’s ability to bring about meaningful change.

“This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done. I ask for your support not just in words, but in action. Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place as a service to the people.”

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The move comes amid growing momentum for a united opposition front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Leading voices in the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate; former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai; and Rotimi Amaechi, a former transportation minister.

In May, opposition leaders resolved to use the ADC as the central platform to present a formidable alternative in the 2027 elections.

Speaking last week, Ralph Nwosu, founder of the ADC, said David Mark’s emergence was strategic.

“He has the leadership experience, maturity, and national reach to provide the required focus for the coalition platform,” he said.