Economic meltdown driving political realignment, says COPDEM as ADC opens new secretariat 

ILORIN — Nigeria’s deepening economic woes under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government are driving unprecedented political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders said on Wednesday during the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s new state secretariat in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The event, held along Olorunsogo Road, featured prominent voices from both the ADC and the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), with leaders stressing that worsening living conditions and a failing economy are pushing citizens and political elites alike toward alternative platforms.

Board of Trustee member of COPDEM, Mr. Aloysius Nwaora, delivered a scathing indictment of the federal government, attributing Nigeria’s shrinking economic competitiveness to policy failures under the APC.

“This is not just a convergence of political parties; it’s a convergence of the masses against a government that has failed them economically,” Nwaora declared.

Drawing from his experience in the building materials industry, Nwora painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s economic deterioration.

H

e recounted how foreign labourers from neighbouring countries who once thronged Nigeria for work are now abandoning the country in favour of better prospects at home.

“Labourers from Niger, Togo, and Benin used to come here for jobs.

“Now, they’re returning home because their economies and wages are better than ours,” he said.

“In the past, you could pay a Nigerien N30,000 to upload a trailer.

“Today, they won’t accept even N100,000 because they earn more back home. That’s how low we’ve fallen under APC.”

Nwora’s remarks underscore growing discontent over the cost of living, inflation, and an exodus of informal labour—issues that analysts say are feeding political momentum for alternative parties.

Echoing that sentiment, Kwara State ADC Chairman, Prince Jolayemi Akadi, announced that the party is set to welcome three former federal ministers and several high-profile political figures into its fold as part of a broader movement to “reposition Kwara and Nigeria.”

Akadi said the leaders—whose names he withheld—have aligned with ADC’s vision of grassroots empowerment, economic renewal, and coalition-driven leadership.

“We are at 90 percent agreement with these leaders,” he said. “They know what’s at stake, and they’re joining us to build a platform that puts people first.”

The inauguration also marked a strategic alignment between ADC and COPDEM, a civil society coalition known for grassroots political education and civic mobilization.

The partnership is expected to deepen the party’s reach at the ward level, a crucial battleground for electoral success.

Akadi emphasized the importance of compromise in coalition-building and hinted that ADC’s national leadership is willing to step aside for stronger candidates in the interest of defeating the ruling party.

“In a merger or coalition, there must be give and take,” he said. “Positions are not permanent. We must be ready to make way when necessary to strengthen the platform.”

Observers note that the party’s growing profile, particularly its appeal to disillusioned political heavyweights and civil society actors, could mark a shift in Nigeria’s post-2023 political terrain.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other prominent opposition figures have reportedly identified the ADC as a viable coalition platform ahead of 2027.

Akadi acknowledged the lessons from the last general election, saying the party’s path to victory lies in connecting with the grassroots.

“Fifty percent of the votes we need are from ward level,” he said. “That’s why we’re working with people who have already made an impact in their communities.”

With the economy at the heart of the current political dissatisfaction, the ADC appears poised to leverage public frustration for electoral gains, positioning itself as a credible alternative in what is shaping up to be a highly contested 2027 election cycle.

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