(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that top opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, must now officially register at the ward level before being recognized as part of its coalition structure.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the decision was revealed by the ADC Lagos State Chairman, George Ashiru, shortly after a closed-door stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
The party leadership emphasized that the coalition had entered what it described as a “new phase,” where mere political talks and informal endorsements would no longer suffice.
Ashiru explained that while prominent opposition leaders have openly supported or aligned themselves with the ADC as a viable platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many have yet to take the practical step of formally registering as members.
He argued that grassroots membership, beginning at the ward level, was essential for accountability, credibility, and genuine mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The time has come for our leaders to walk the talk,” Ashiru was quoted as saying. “ADC is no longer just a coalition umbrella. It is the home of Nigeria’s new opposition.
For us to move forward, those who wish to lead must also first be willing to register like ordinary Nigerians in their wards.”
The ADC’s stance reflects growing pressure within opposition ranks to unify under a single platform as President Bola Tinubu’s administration consolidates power.
Since the 2023 elections, several attempts have been made to merge or align opposition movements, but rivalries and individual ambitions have often stalled progress.
Observers note that Atiku Abubakar, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been in exploratory talks with other opposition figures, while El-Rufai and Amaechi, both formerly of the APC, have been courted as influential defectors.
However, none of the three have formally severed ties with their previous political bases, raising questions about their long-term commitments.
Political analysts told DDM that the ADC’s demand for grassroots registration is an attempt to avoid past mistakes where high-profile politicians used smaller platforms as temporary vehicles during election cycles without genuinely investing in party-building.
By insisting on ward-level membership, the party hopes to strengthen its grassroots legitimacy and ensure that leaders share equal responsibility with ordinary members.
The move also signals ADC’s determination to position itself as the anchor of Nigeria’s opposition movement, moving away from the image of a loose coalition to that of an organized national party capable of mounting a serious challenge in 2027.
For many Nigerians frustrated by the failures of traditional parties, the ADC’s bold directive may serve as a litmus test for whether the opposition leaders are truly committed to structural change or merely seeking another platform for political ambition.