We Need No Merger to Defeat Tinubu in 2027 – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it does not need a coalition or merger with other political parties to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The party said its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has the experience, national reach and economic plan needed to win the election.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this during a television interview.

“We don’t need a coalition to win 2027. Elections are won at polling units through mobilisation and trust, not through television alliances,” he said.

Abdullahi admitted that a broad opposition coalition could make the election easier, but insisted that the ADC could still win without one.

He expressed confidence that Atiku would defeat Tinubu, saying Nigerians were searching for experienced leadership capable of reviving the economy and restoring hope.

The ADC spokesman also defended Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy removal.

He said Atiku opposed the manner in which the subsidy was removed because there were no adequate palliatives, functioning refineries or measures to protect poor Nigerians.

According to Abdullahi, an Atiku administration would prioritise fixing local refineries, stabilising the naira and providing targeted support before deregulation.

He accused the Tinubu administration of mishandling the subsidy removal, resulting in rising inflation, transportation costs and economic hardship.

Meanwhile, the OK Movement has also rejected suggestions that it should merge with external political organisations ahead of the 2027 elections.

The movement, formed by supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, reaffirmed its independence at a national leadership summit in Abuja.

The decision was contained in a communiqué signed by Convener Ladipo Johnson and National Secretary Sadaatu Sani.

The group said it would remain independent but was open to working with allied organisations on shared objectives.

The movement also rejected reports of plans to remove its Director-General and founder, John Ughulu.

It warned that such a move could weaken its grassroots structure, which it said was built largely around Ughulu’s leadership.

The leadership further invited Jacky Wayas to return as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under Ughulu’s supervision.

Prince Suleiman Abubakar was also appointed Deputy Director-General for the Northern region following the resignation of Amb. Muhammad Auwal Musa.

The OK Movement later visited Rabiu Kwankwaso and Advisory Council Chairman Buba Galadima to brief them on the summit.

Galadima reportedly advised against merging the movement into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stressing the importance of preserving its independent structure.

The movement said it remained committed to its vision of a better Nigeria while urging its grassroots members’ decisions to be respected.

Meanwhile, Abdullahi said opposition parties were still discussing possible areas of cooperation.

He said the talks were increasingly focused on issues such as election monitoring and vote protection rather than producing a single opposition presidential candidate.