Leaked Memo: Fresh trouble hits Atiku-led coalition as battle between ADC, Obidient may tear party apart

Fresh cracks appear to be emerging within the recently formed coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as a leaked memo has exposed internal disagreements between the ADC and the Obidient Movement, as reported by legit.

The Obidient Movement, which backs Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, has accused the coalition of marginalising its members from key decision-making processes.

The accusation was contained in a memo dated July 29, 2025, signed by the National Coordinator of the movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, and addressed directly to Obi.

Obidients accuse ADC leaders of sidelining loyalists

In the strongly-worded document seen by Punch, the Obidients expressed “severe grievances” over the way the coalition is being run, despite their continued loyalty to the shared vision of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

“We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems,” the memo read. “Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels. While we remain committed to the shared vision of building a united and formidable front for the task ahead, we must raise the following issues that our members have repeatedly flagged,” it continued.

Dr Yunusa said none of Obi’s core supporters had been included in important deliberations of the ADC coalition.

According to him, “Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made.

“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership.”

Call for urgent action by Peter Obi

The Obidient Movement also criticised the coalition’s leadership structure, describing it as lacking adequate representation for their members.

They warned that the present arrangement did not reflect their strength or contribution to the bloc. “The current structure does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s strength and contribution to this coalition.”

“We strongly believe that there should be at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement in each geopolitical zone,” the statement noted.

Urging Obi to intervene, the group said, “We believe these measures are crucial to building trust and repositioning the coalition for success. We look forward to you resolving this with the party leadership in the spirit of the new Nigeria we want to build.”

ADC coalition already facing internal test

The ADC-led coalition was formally unveiled on July 2, 2025, as a platform to rally opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections, Vanguard reported.

At the launch event were high-profile politicians, including interim national chairman David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Notably, Peter Obi has yet to formally join the coalition, even though ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, earlier said Obi and El-Rufai had been granted waivers to remain in their legacy parties.

Analysts warn of deeper cracks if issues are ignored

Some political observers have warned that failure to address the Obidients’ complaints could lead to wider discontent within the alliance, potentially weakening its chances in 2027.

A party insider who did not want to be named told Legit.ng.

“This is the kind of early warning that coalitions often ignore until it’s too late. If these groups don’t feel valued, they may pull out or work against the mission.”