ADC Opposition Coalition Rejected by Youth Wing Over Alleged Hijack by Atiku, Amaechi, Mark

The ADC opposition coalition has sparked controversy as the Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) categorically rejected the alliance spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.

Speaking on Thursday, Musa Matara, spokesperson of the ADC Youth Wing, denounced the ADC opposition coalition, calling it an attempt by “old politicians who ruined Nigeria” to seize control of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This development comes after a faction of the ADC, led by Raph Nwosu, announced on Wednesday that it was handing over party leadership to the ADC opposition coalition, installing David Mark as interim national chairman and Aregbesola as secretary.

Reacting to the move, Matara insisted that the ADC remains an independent political party with clear ideology, not a vehicle for recycled politicians. “We will never accept the hijacking of ADC in the name of an ADC opposition coalition,” he stated firmly.

He further challenged the legitimacy of the appointments, questioning whether they were ratified by the National Executive Committee or the National Working Committee. “Who gave them the mandate to form an interim leadership? The ADC opposition coalition has no authority over our party,” Matara declared.

According to him, all claims that the entire ADC leadership had resigned were “false narratives designed to confuse Nigerians.” He warned that the Youth Wing and genuine members of ADC would resist any attempt to impose the ADC coalition on the party.

Earlier, Dumebi Kachikwu, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, also condemned the development, describing the emergence of David Mark as a factional leader as “a disservice to Nigerians.” He argued that the real motive of the ADC coalition was to pave the way for Atiku Abubakar to secure the presidency in 2027.

“The ADC coalition is simply a gathering of failed politicians desperate to cling to power. We will not allow them to derail ADC’s vision,” Kachikwu warned.