Amid mounting conversations about potential opposition alliances, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has openly acknowledged efforts to collaborate with other political parties to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the launch of three books in Abuja—Tax Tithe in Tight Economy, Optimising VAT for Business Growth and Economic Development, and Murky Waters of Politics—ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, confirmed the discussions.
The books were authored by the party’s national treasurer, Dr. Okey Ude.
Though Sani did not name specific figures involved, he emphasized that the ADP is keen on “ensuring the emergence of leaders that would turn around the fortunes of the country in the 2027 poll.”
He stated, “Yes, collaboration is the thing that gets things done. Even in business, it is not about domination; it is about collaboration. So, we will collaborate with those that we know share in our ideology, in our approaches because this country needs good leadership.”
He added, “So, our party is for good leadership because that is what the country deserves. This country is a promise of greatness, and you have to get great leaders.”
“The great leaders cannot come the way we are going. We must begin to change the system of recruitment of leadership, which means the process of conducting elections have to be changed.”
Dr. Ude, who also served as ADP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, echoed similar sentiments, stressing Nigeria’s potential for global relevance if led properly.
However, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, dismissed the opposition’s strategy, describing it as inconsequential. Addressing journalists at a media parley in Lagos, Uzodimma said the APC was unfazed by any coalition attempt.
He argued, “What is a coalition? We are practising partisan democracy, not coalition democracy. Partisan democracy requires belonging to a political party to contest elections. When your party is no longer viable and you seek political oxygen, you must first leave the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before discussing alliances.”
He continued, “I began by stating that you don’t change a winning team. We have seen where we were, where we are, and where we are headed. Ultimately, Nigerians will decide our fate. But that decision is years away. As a government, we still have over two years remaining in our term.”
On the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State, Uzodimma defended President Tinubu’s move, saying it was necessary to prevent the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the state legislature.
“The President, as Chief Security Officer, acted to quell tensions in Rivers. Had the House of Assembly impeached Governor Fubara, it would have set a dangerous precedent. It may be him today, another tomorrow. As a Christian, I believe leadership is divine. It is God who ordains,” he said.
He further explained the broader national interest in supporting the emergency declaration, especially in the context of crude oil production and security.
“When pipelines were bombed, we had to prioritise safeguarding production. As chairman of the National Economic Council’s subcommittee on crude oil theft, our efforts have been on how to boost output, and any actions threatening our quotas must be condemned,” Uzodimma said.
