ADC: ‘Coalition of corruption’ – More knocks for Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others over ‘rebranded’ agenda

The coalition comprised of influential political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, as part of the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), represents a significant strategic effort to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

With Atiku Abubakar at the forefront, these leaders are united by a common goal: to mount a formidable challenge against the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has faced its share of controversies and criticisms.

This coalition aims not only to secure a win for its chosen candidate but also to address the pressing socio-economic issues that have affected many Nigerians, such as unemployment, education, and healthcare access.

However, recent reports suggest that the road ahead is fraught with complexity, as various factions within the coalition engage in strategic negotiations and maneuvering to determine the party’s presidential nominee.

Ultimately, the coalition’s success will hinge on their ability to unite behind a candidate who genuinely embodies the aspirations and needs of the Nigerian people, paving the way for a more inclusive and responsive governance.

Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has described the newly formed ADC coalition as a gathering of political actors responsible for Nigeria’s longstanding woes, warning Nigerians not to be deceived by their “rebranded” agenda.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Joseph, who also leads the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, said the coalition is “deeply insulting to our collective intelligence,” adding that its members are the same figures who built the “Emilokan” brand of governance now embodied by President Bola Tinubu.

“Today, these same failed leaders have rebranded themselves overnight, claiming they want to ‘rescue’ Nigeria. From what, if not the very destruction they orchestrated?” he asked.

Joseph said the political coalition lacks sincerity and is driven not by values or vision, but by desperation and self-preservation.

“It is a tragedy that these old political figures—who once had power and opportunity to do right by Nigerians but instead enriched themselves—are now aligning for selfish interests under the pretense of national salvation,” he said.

He argued that the future of Nigeria does not lie in “defecting politicians or recycled coalitions,” but in the hands of ordinary Nigerians.

“The next election belongs to the ordinary Nigerian who has suffered silently for too long, the Nigerian youth, cheated and sidelined for decades, the market women, who have been used and discarded, the Christian community praying for true change, the Muslims yearning for justice, equity, and a functional nation,” he stated.

Aiming for the key figures behind the coalition, Joseph questioned their credibility and motives.

His words: “Atiku Abubakar and his PDP camp cannot even resolve their own internal crises.

“Peter Obi is incapable of leading the Labour Party, Nasir El-Rufai is angry because he didn’t get a ministerial appointment, despite the pain he left behind in Kaduna, and Rauf Aregbesola left no meaningful legacy either as governor or as minister.”

He said the coalition leaders were all part of the political class that created the national rot that President Tinubu merely inherited.

“What we are witnessing is not a coalition for Nigeria, but a coalition of corruption, a coalition of greed, and a setup for yet another failed government in new clothing.

“It is the same old wine in a new bottle. Nigerians must not be fooled,” he noted.