Former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Communications Committee, Bola Bakare, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition as lacking the structure and credibility required to be considered a true political alliance.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Bakare argued that the current coalition, which seeks to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, falls short of the historical and political benchmarks set by previous coalitions in Nigeria’s political history.
“To call this a coalition is a stretch,” Bakare said. “If we look back to 1959, the coalition between the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) brought forth a functioning government—NPC provided the Prime Minister in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and NCNC the President in Nnamdi Azikiwe.”
He also referenced the 1964 coalition between the NPC and the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) as another example of alliances forged between full-fledged political parties with established structures.
“In contrast, what we have today is not a coalition of parties, but a coalition of individuals,” Bakare asserted. “You can’t claim to live in an estate if you don’t own a house there. These are individuals coming together, not parties with legitimate structures. That’s not a coalition in political terms.”
Bakare also raised concerns about internal instability within the ADC, questioning the legitimacy of its leadership and warning of potential legal challenges that could undermine its efforts.
“There’s ongoing litigation surrounding key figures in the ADC,” he said. “Ask yourself this: Is Ralph Nwosu, as of today, the legal chairman of the ADC? The answer is no.”
He went on to criticize prominent opposition figures involved in the coalition, beginning with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“Atiku, I respect you as my elder, but Nigerians are asking: what exactly are you offering after all these years? During your time as Vice President, former President Obasanjo made strong allegations in his book, ‘My Watch.’ You never refuted them. Silence in law is acquiescence.”
Bakare also weighed in on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, offering a mixed assessment.
“Peter Obi is a good man, well-intentioned, and has made an impact. But even among his own people in Anambra State, reviews of his tenure as governor were not always flattering,” he said. “We are now at a crossroads. This is not about sentiment; it’s about capacity and clarity.”
Bakare’s comments come as opposition parties intensify efforts to form a united front ahead of the 2027 elections. However, internal disputes and questions over legitimacy continue to raise doubts about the strength and viability of the ADC-led coalition.
