Coalition leaders, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 election, Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday took over control of African Democratic Party, ADC, as the platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
This is even as crisis seems to be brewing in the party, following the take over as some members of the party were opposed the development.
While some party members, including its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu; National Publicity Secretary, Dr Musa Matara, and some concerned stakeholders resisted the adoption of the party, the executives of the party in Kebbi State, however, described the take over as a welcome development.
But the party’s chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and secretary, Alhaji Baba Abdullahi, stepped down for the coalition’s Interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and Interim National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, to take over.
Some ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and former members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also joined the anti-Tinubu coalition.
Roll Call
Some of those at the event were former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed; former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; and, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal.
Also present were former APC NWC members, including a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former spokesman of the APC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi; former Caretaker National Secretary of APC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe; and, former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the APC, Salihu Lukman.
The roll call also included former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and former Sports Minister, Mr Solomon Dalung.
Others were former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; Gen. Tunde Ogbeha, retd, former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus; former Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; former governor of Adamawa State, Jubrilla Bindow; former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha; former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, retd; Senator Ishaku Abbo; Senator Dino Melaye; senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Ireti Kingibe; and activist, Aisha Yesufu.
The list also included former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba; former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; Senator Lee Maeba; former Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar; former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswan; Ovation publisher, Aare Dele Momodu; former presidential adviser, Kashim Imam; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Dr Mani Ibrahim; Ms Lauretta Onochie; ex-Rivers governor, Celestine Omehia; Maryam Inna Ciroma; Senator Aishatu Binani; former governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada; former deputy governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi; and Senator Victor Umeh.
