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ADC Youth Wing Rejects Coalition Backed by Atiku, David Mark, Amaechi, El-Rufai

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

ADC Youth Wing Rejects Coalition Backed by Atiku, David Mark, Amaechi, El-Rufai

The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the newly formed opposition coalition involving high-profile political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Speaking at a youth meeting on Thursday, ADC youth spokesperson Musa Matara criticized the coalition, which was officially announced on Wednesday. The coalition had adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

During the coalition’s unveiling, a faction of the ADC led by Raph Nwosu reportedly transferred party leadership to the alliance, naming David Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary.

In a swift reaction, Matara rejected the move, stating that the party’s foundation cannot be handed over to what he described as “a group of failed politicians from the past.”

“These are the same old leaders who played major roles in damaging Nigeria’s governance. They have no guiding ideology, unlike the ADC, which is built on principles and vision,” Matara said.

He dismissed claims by Raph Nwosu that all current party executives had stepped down, describing the declaration as baseless and lacking official endorsement from the party’s National Executive Committee or National Working Committee.

“We are still in the ADC. We belong to no other party,” Matara asserted. “They are welcome to join us—but not to take over.”

Adding to the criticism, Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, condemned the appointment of David Mark as interim chairman. He argued that the coalition’s real goal is to install Atiku Abubakar as president in 2027—a move he called a betrayal of Nigerians’ hopes.