The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), now led by former Senate President David Mark.
The confirmation, displayed on INEC’s website and sighted on Wednesday, follows an internal restructuring of the opposition party, which recently adopted an opposition coalition platform in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
INEC’s updated list shows David Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary. Other recognised officials include:
- Former Edo State governor Oserheimen Osunbor – National Legal Adviser.
- Ibrahim Mani – National Treasurer.
- Akibu Dalhatu – National Financial Secretary.
The recognition signals a major shift in the political space as opposition figures consolidate ahead of the 2027 race.
Opposition Coalition Adopts ADC
On July 2, 2025, several opposition leaders formally adopted the ADC as their political platform, pledging to “rescue Nigeria” and “rebuild democracy.”
Speaking at the unveiling, David Mark declared:
“This coalition of national opposition groups goes beyond political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people.”
Mark accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of hijacking democratic institutions and pushing Nigeria towards “total civilian dictatorship.” He warned that the destabilisation of opposition parties was aimed at leaving Nigerians with no political alternatives in 2027.
The coalition has brought together heavyweight politicians across party lines, including:
- Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate.
- Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 candidate.
- Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai.
- Former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi.
- Senator Dino Melaye, former Minister Solomon Dalong, and publisher Dele Momodu.
- Senator Gabriel Suswam, Senator Ireti Kingibe, former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, and former Chief of Air Staff Sadique Abubakar (retd.).
At the unveiling, former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu officially handed over the party structure and membership cards to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Not everyone welcomed the development. The ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, dismissed the coalition leaders as “enemies of Nigeria.”
“All these ‘formers’ are taking Nigeria back to its former glory. These same people have ruled Nigeria for four decades, and where are we today? A nation where 80 per cent of the population is poor,” Kachikwu said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He argued that the coalition was nothing more than a recycling of political elites who had contributed to the nation’s current woes.
President Bola Tinubu also downplayed the opposition coalition, describing its members as “internally displaced politicians.”
Nonetheless, the ADC-led coalition has vowed to mount a formidable challenge to the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections, positioning itself as the main alternative platform to reclaim governance.
With INEC’s formal recognition of its leadership structure, the ADC now has the legitimacy to drive opposition unity as Nigeria inches closer to another crucial election cycle.
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