The leadership of the opposition coalition has demanded that its members resigned from their current political parties and join the African Democratic Congress fully, although it gave no specific deadline for the transition, The PUNCH reports.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this in Abuja on Thursday following a caucus meeting that included senior party leaders and prominent political figures.he All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have dismissed a directive by the African Democratic Congress, directing prospective members in other parties to decamp to the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC and PDP said the move by the coalition posed no threat and would have no impact on them.
Since the ADC was introduced in July 2nd as the coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, a few opposition leaders have switched parties to join it.
However, most have yet to formally leave their existing parties.
For instance, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar left the Peoples Democratic Party but has not officially joined the ADC.
Similarly, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and several others continue to remain in their respective parties despite associating themselves with the coalition.
Abdullahi also stated that all matters related to the African Democratic Association have now been resolved.
He stated, “Though final order has been given to all members to resign membership of other political parties, the caucus was silent on the timeline,” Abdullahi said.
“The coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means, they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association.
“All the presidential aspirants have agreed to support whoever wins the primaries election,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the National Working Committee will soon release the schedule for primary elections in Osun and Ekiti states, in preparation for the upcoming off-cycle governorship polls.
Attendees at the meeting included National Chairman, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
APC, PDP react
In response, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the ruling party is not alarmed by the development, noting that they frequently welcome defectors from other political parties.
Ibrahim, in an interview with The PUNCH, stated, “This is nothing to frighten or put the APC in any state of embarrassment. As a matter of fact, the political atmosphere has given people room to realign. Don’t forget, the APC has been receiving an influx of people who are leaving their parties and joining the APC. So, people are at liberty to change sides and change signs as they wish.
“But I assure you, the APC will only grow in strength. If some leave, others will join, just as others are already joining.
“So, we are not bothered. We’re not bothered. We’re just at our strength. In the last elections, the recently concluded by-elections, it is clear that the ADC does not have the strength to rattle the APC. So, this is nothing to give the APC sleepless nights. You will soon see more people joining from other political parties, including from the ADC.”
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, welcomed the ADC directive, saying it presents an opportunity for all political parties to identify their true members.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Osadolor noted that there are millions of Nigerians available to support various political parties and emphasised that the PDP was not concerned about the coalition’s call.