Power Grab or Policy Push? ADC Coalition Under Fire
The recent defections to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a smattering of APC members, have ignited a firestorm of criticism and skepticism about the coalition's potential. The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, swiftly dismissed the ADC as a vehicle for self-serving politicians, branding it a "roll call of Nigeria’s me-or-nothing politicians." This harsh assessment, echoing a widespread unease, directly challenges the coalition's stated goal of challenging the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
Morka's criticism meticulously dissects the perceived failings of the coalition. He asserts that the ADC's leadership, exemplified by Senator David Mark's acceptance speech, lacked substance and purpose. According to Morka, the speech was "disgracefully vacant," devoid of meaningful policy proposals. He directly criticizes Senator Mark's speech, accusing it of being filled with "untruths, diatribe, and regurgitated and baseless allegations" against the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Morka further lambasts the coalition, suggesting a profound disconnect from the needs of Nigerians. He questions the coalition's alternative policy approaches and ideological foundation, claiming it is driven solely by "desperation for power" and a "wolfish quest for power for their own mendacious end." Morka concludes by claiming the Tinubu administration is delivering tangible improvements to the lives of Nigerians.
The PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, displayed a remarkably detached posture, focusing instead on preparations for internal party matters—the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and National Convention—highlighting the potential lack of prioritization of the coalition within their broader strategic objectives.
Meanwhile, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, while acknowledging the coalition's potential, stops short of unequivocally endorsing the ADC as the vehicle for change. This apparent lack of commitment from Obi, despite his participation in the initial talks, further fuels uncertainty about the coalition's long-term viability. Conversely, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and PDP Board of Trustees member Chief Olabode George, added to the critique, openly accusing the new ADC leadership of prioritizing their personal ambition over national interests. George directly called the ADC "a rolling stone driven by selfish ambition," incapable of defending public interest.
Further casting doubt on the coalition's strategy is the perspective of Datti Baba-Ahmed, Peter Obi's 2023 running mate. He directly points to the lack of a cohesive, long-term strategy, suggesting that the focus on individual ambition overshadows the need for a unified approach to challenge the powerful political machine exemplified by Tinubu. Baba-Ahmed highlights the extended period of support Tinubu invested in Buhari before consolidating his own power, contrasting this sustained commitment with the perceived lack of sustained political vision within the current coalition. This criticism is particularly pointed, with Baba-Ahmed highlighting Tinubu's past political support of Atiku and others and arguing that a similarly strategic approach to defeating Tinubu is missing from this coalition. He concludes by emphasizing the crucial need for concrete action over empty promises.
The conflicting statements and criticisms reveal a significant chasm between the coalition's ambitions and the perceived reality of its members' motivations. Whether this nascent alliance can overcome the evident internal divisions and external skepticism to mount a credible challenge to the APC remains a serious question. The overall tone of the analysis paints a picture of a coalition struggling to establish credibility and unity.
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