Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing a dramatic shake-up as former Senate President David Mark officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and assumed leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the political platform adopted by a coalition of opposition forces on Tuesday night.
Mark’s resignation, contained in a letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, signals a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP,” the letter read in part.
“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.”
“However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule.”
Mark added that after “wide consultations with family, friends and political associates,” he had resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movements in Nigeria, which has now formally merged into the ADC.
“This is part of a collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” he said.
The formation of the opposition coalition under the ADC banner is triggering a wave of defections from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), as several influential figures reposition ahead of 2027.
Among the most notable is former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who has been appointed National Secretary of the ADC.
A source within the coalition leadership confirmed that Aregbesola would “formally resign from the APC through a letter to his ward” in the coming days.
“Not long now, Ogbeni (Aregbesola) would make his exit official,” the source stated. “This move, along with others lined up, will shake the APC deeply, nationwide.”
Also reportedly preparing to defect is former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who is expected to lead his supporters into the ADC in Rivers State.
“Amaechi’s movement is strategic,” said a senior coalition official. “With his base in Rivers and reach in the North, he is a crucial player in what we are building.”
Within the Labour Party, the Obidient Movement—the youth-led platform that powered Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign—has reacted cautiously to the new coalition.
An aide to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election and founder of the Obidient Movement, Peter Obi, hinted that their alignment with the ADC was likely, but not yet finalized.
“Ours is not a rush, but it would cause an earthquake when our national leader (Peter Obi) finally joins the ADC,” he told THE WHISTLER on Wednesday.
“I think he will still consult and weigh everything based on the conditions he has said already—that if the coalition is truly about rescuing Nigeria, then he’s in.”
He added, “So far, it looks good. The leadership is strong and credible. I think we’re good with it for now.”
While former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the opposition coalition, it remains unclear when he will officially join the ADC. Efforts to get comments from his camp were unsuccessful as of press time.
Human Rights lawyer and political analyst Deji Adeyanju had earlier told THE WHISTLER that the coalition “looks good and appears not just a change of platform. It is a reawakening.”
Adeyanju, who expects Atiku to join ADC, formally congratulated him and other leaders urging “them to put aside their differences for the common good of the people.”
