The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the appointment of former Senate President David Mark as Interim National Chairman and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary in a sweeping leadership overhaul aimed at repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appointments, finalised on Tuesday in Abuja following a high-level meeting of political stakeholders, signal the ADC’s emergence as a rallying platform for a broad coalition of opposition forces, including aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party.
Other interim appointments include:
- Chief Anayo Arinze – Interim Deputy National Chairman (South)
- Alhaji Ibrahim Manzo – Interim Deputy National Chairman (North)
- Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports – Interim National Publicity Secretary
Party insiders confirmed that the ADC was selected as the coalition platform due to its existing national structure, grassroots presence, and lack of internal crises, unlike many other parties. The move comes amid alleged delays by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in registering new parties such as the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
A Coalition to Challenge APC
Sources involved in the coalition talks said the appointments mark a deliberate strategy to unify Nigeria’s fractured opposition and build a credible challenge to the ruling APC and the Tinubu administration in 2027.
“This is a strategic move to unite the opposition and present a strong front against the APC,” a source familiar with the meeting said. “The ADC was chosen because it is stable, has national reach, and carries no baggage of factional disputes.”
The party’s links to reformist ideals associated with former President Olusegun Obasanjo were also cited as a key influence in the decision.
Leadership Mandate and Road to 2027
The interim leadership has been mandated to:
- Overhaul and restructure the party
- Lead grassroots mobilisation campaigns
- Execute regional engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones
- Prepare for a National Convention in 2026 to elect a substantive National Working Committee (NWC)
The immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, is reported to have voluntarily stepped aside to facilitate the restructuring process. He has endorsed the interim leadership and may serve as Interim Organising Secretary, though this is yet to be formally confirmed.
Rising Public Discontent Spurs Repositioning
The ADC’s transformation coincides with growing public dissatisfaction with the APC-led Federal Government over inflation, insecurity, and economic reforms. The opposition bloc now aims to channel that sentiment into electoral strength, leveraging the credibility of its new leadership to build momentum.
The formation of this expanded opposition coalition is expected to significantly influence Nigeria’s political dynamics, especially as key political figures such as Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi continue to hold consultations on future alignments.
With seasoned politicians like Mark and Aregbesola at the helm, the ADC is positioning itself as a formidable alternative in the 2027 elections.
