A major faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has kicked against the move by an opposition coalition to adopt the party as its political platform.
A statement issued by the faction’s national publicity secretary, Musa Isa Matara, warned that the ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by political elites.
The group expressed outrage over what it described as a unilateral decision made without input from critical stakeholders.
Matara said the decision to merge with the opposition coalition was made without consulting key party structures, including state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators.
DAILY POST reports that the backlash comes after a meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.
A coalition of opposition politicians and some ADC members had reportedly agreed at the meeting to use the party as a platform for a united opposition front.
Among those in attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River), as well as former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus.
Following the meeting, the group announced the adoption of the ADC as its coalition platform, naming David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary, respectively. Former sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi was also unveiled as the coalition’s spokesperson.
In his response, Matara emphasized that while the ADC welcomes the idea of forming alliances, it would not accept what appears to be a hostile takeover.
The ADC Publicity Secretary further said that the appointments announced at the forum carry no weight, as they were not approved by the party’s National Executive Committee or a national convention.
