In a dramatic political turn ahead of the 2027 general election, the entire leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has voluntarily stepped down to pave way for a new interim leadership headed by former Senate President, David Mark.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the unveiling of the ADC as the official platform for a broad opposition coalition held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
“This is beyond politics and power,” Ralph Nwosu declared in his address. “We must commit to moving Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning. It’s not about seeking power. We have the capacity.”
Nwosu said the decision to resign was borne out of months of consultations and the party’s longstanding commitment to coalition-building.
“ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months back, and we’ve had over 12 NEC meetings,” he noted.
“When we were consulted, we said we had also been consulting because we are a party that believes in coalition. A day like this shows that we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria. We don’t have any doubt in the man (David Mark). We all have decided to resign.”
Nwosu’s remarks were met with applause by a crowd of political heavyweights cutting across party lines. According to him, “Nigerians are yearning for a coalition because they want everyone to come together.”
Originally scheduled to be held at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro District of Abuja, the event was relocated to the Yar’Adua Centre after the hotel management reportedly pulled out at the last minute, citing an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”
The event saw an unprecedented convergence of politicians from the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and even elements of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Notable attendees included, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the LP in 2023, Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State; former Senate President David Mark; Datti Baba-Ahmed; Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation; Solomon Dalung, ex-minister of Sports, and former national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Others included former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami; former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus; Ovation publisher Dele Momodu; Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe; Senator Gabriel Suswam; FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe; Senator Elisha Abbo; Senator Victor Umeh; ex-presidential aide Lauretta Onochie; former Minister Liyel Imoke; Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye, and General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd).
Former Senate President David Mark, now the interim national chairman of the ADC-led coalition, is expected to lead the political movement ahead of the 2027 polls. His appointment signals a decisive shift in the opposition’s coordination and structure.
