By Uche Amunike
Format Senate President, Senator David Mark and former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, have both been appointed Interim Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is a coalition platform being formed against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources who were present at the just concluded meeting on Tuesday night in Abuja, who spoke under anonymity, stated that leaders of the opposition coalition took the unanimous decision for Mark and Aregbesola to take up both roles.
They further disclosed that former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, was also appointed as the National Publicity Secretary, adding that the ADC and its newly constituted leadership will be formally unveiled in Abuja, today, Wednesday.
Even though the present administration has experienced several achievements and setbacks across several sectors, opposition leaders from multiple parties have consistently criticized the ruling All progressives Congress-led government, terming it a failure.
Also dealing with internal crisis are major opposition parties including Labour Party, PDP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, as well as the Social Democratic Party.
In order to present a formidable front ahead of the 2027 elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El rufai and other political gladiators, came together to form a new coalition during a meeting in Abuja on March 20.
This move generated nationwide conversation about the potential impact of a united opposition, bringing about mixed reactions from political analysts and the general public.
Months after speculating which platform the coalition would adopt, a report by The Punch on May 19, stated that the group had settled for the ADC as its political vehicle. However, they also reported that senator David Mark has been selected as the interim chairman of the coalition under the ADC platform, which will be unveiled today, Wednesday.
According to one of the sources, Aregbesola who earlier refused the offer, changed his mind and accepted it after the stakeholders insisted.
His words: ‘We just concluded a meeting tonight. Mark and Aregbesola have been appointed as the ADC Interim National Chairman and National Secretary.’
‘This will be officially unveiled tomorrow (Wednesday), so we are on track.’
According to another source: ‘Atiku and other coalition leaders met tonight and resolved to adopt the ADC as their platform after months of consultations.’
‘For now, the ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has stepped aside to allow Mark and Aregbesola take over as interim Chairman and Secretary.’
‘You know Aregbesola rejected it some time ago, but he was prevailed upon by stakeholders, so he has accepted to serve in that capacity. All of this, and more, will be made public tomorrow. Former Minister of Sport, Bolaji will serve as National Publicity Secretary.’
A former aide to the former Senate President and former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, posted in his X account that the ADC has been adopted.
According to him: ‘African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the Interim National chairman and Ogbeni Raud Aregbesola as the interim National Secretary.’
