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Coalition leaders weigh return to ADA amid ADC dispute

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8 months ago

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Some principal officers of the African Democratic Congress said coalition leaders are considering switching to the newly approved All Democratic Alliance, Monday Ekwutosblog can report.

It was gathered that this is due to litigation issues that could threaten ADC chances and have broader political implications in the 2027 general elections.

No fewer than three chieftains of the party said stakeholders viewed ADA as a more stable platform and might return should the court case against the David Mark-led executive of the ADC continue.

Coalition search for party

The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Thursday announced the approval of 14 political associations, including ADA, to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties.

The opposition coalition, whose members now dominate ADC, had on June 19 agreed to register the ADA to avoid litigation by original members of any party they intended to adopt.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the move to register the new party was originally a consensus among the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led National Opposition Coalition Group, the League of Northern Democrats, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, and some southern political leaders.

ADA was thereafter adopted as the new party of the coalition and submitted to INEC for approval on June 19, following recommendations from the Rotimi Amaechi-led New Platform Committee.

Initially, INEC queried the application, stating that some requirements were unmet.

But barely three months later, INEC finally cleared ADA, allowing it to proceed with formal processes to establish the party.

The approval came amid litigation against the Mark-led executive from aggrieved members of the ADC, led by the Deputy National Chairman, Nafi’u Bala.

Bala had dragged ADC, Mark, and the Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to a Federal High Court, claiming he was supposed to assume chairmanship following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

Nwosu resigned on July 2 and appointed Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola as interim secretary.

Among other prayers, Bala asked the court to nullify the Mark-led leadership and declare him the authentic chairman of the ADC.

He also sought an ex-parte order to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as party leaders.

In its ruling on September 4, 2025, the court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, refused the ex-parte application and instead ordered that the defendants be put on notice and appear to show cause why the application should not be granted.

The case was adjourned to September 15, 2025.

ADA as a better choice

Speaking with Ekwutosblog , a credible source said the ADC leadership heaved a sigh of relief after INEC’s approval of ADA.

According to the source, coalition leaders now have a better alternative and may leave ADC.

The principal official said, “ADA was our first approach to have a reliable platform, which was why we constituted Amaechi’s committee. The alternative then was to look for an existing political party. I would say the pressure we put on INEC then yielded the approval of the ADA.

“But the consideration now is that the coalition either completes the ADA party process and moves there, leaving ADC alone if the crisis from the aggrieved members, especially from the Bala litigation, gets serious. We now have a good option. If the court rules against the David Mark-led ADC executive, we will fight it until we complete all ADA processes, then move into the party. Like I always say, the coalition is bigger than the ADC. If everything goes well with ADC, fine. But there is consideration of moving to ADA. It is an emerging dynamic.”

The official also hinted that the coalition was expecting some members of the PDP after the party’s convention in November.

He said their arrival would further change political dynamics within the coalition.

“A full-fledged alliance would come after the PDP members join the coalition. It is something bigger, and that is why moving out of ADC is also possible, because all stakeholders will have to agree on a party, candidate, and other considerations. But I can say that ADA is a broader platform for now,” he added.

Another principal official of the ADC acknowledged talks about moving to ADA, though he said it had not been formally discussed.

According to the source, some members of the party and broader coalition are considering the option.

Asked how soon the migration might take place, the official said, “I don’t think we have reached that stage yet. We haven’t discussed it as a group. But certainly, I know it is a matter that everybody within the party and the coalition is talking about.

“We have invested so much in ADC—not in terms of funding, but in terms of effort and time. But as far as many of us are concerned, whatever the coalition decides is what we’re going to do. We’ll see what happens. We’re likely to meet next week. The party is going to meet and the coalition is likely to meet within the next one or two weeks. Then we will make a decision on what to do.

“Actually, there are problems here and there within the ADC, just like these people will want to distract you. The government will not stop distracting the opposition because that’s the only way they can remain in power. But I believe most of us are rational human beings who look at things, basically assess them and then reach a conclusion.”

Another prominent leader of the ADC said, “We own the ADA, and it is even a broader platform because all the stakeholders in the coalition approved it as our original party. ADC was then an alternative. But now that the ADA has sailed through the processes and has been approved, we may leave ADC if the ongoing litigation constitutes a serious threat to any of our agenda,” a principal official of the party

A former minister among the ADC leaders also confirmed the possibilities of returning to ADA.

He said, “If we see that the unexpected things are about to happen in ADC, we will migrate to ADA.”

But the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said there was nothing like that.

He said, “There is nothing like moving to ADA. There is no doubt that the coalition owns the party, but there’s not yet a reason to migrate.”

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Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

 

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Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.

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Ugochukwu Obodo wins Owerri Municipal APC ticket again as APC Elects 27 Imo Assembly Candidates After Successful Primaries

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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The leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State have successfully elected 27 candidates who emerged victorious during the recently concluded Imo State House of Assembly primary elections conducted across the 305 wards of the State.

In a statement obtained by ThePressman Newspaper, the leadership of Imo APC described the primary election exercise as peaceful, transparent, credible, and reflective of the democratic ideals and internal cohesion of the party.

The information from the party commended party faithful, delegates, stakeholders, and supporters for their maturity, discipline, unity, and sportsmanship throughout the electoral process, noting that the successful conduct of the primaries further demonstrated the organizational strength and readiness of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, the outcome of the primaries reaffirmed the confidence reposed in the party by members across the State, while also positioning the APC for a formidable outing in the forthcoming elections.

The Imo APC leadership warmly congratulated the party’s standard bearers who emerged across the 27 State Constituencies, namely:

Uchenna Osigwe – Orsu LGA
Chantel Adanna Onwumere – Ikeduru
Obodo Ugochukwu – Owerri Municipal
Hon. Ernest Udeze – Ideato North
Godspower Onyeibe – Ideato South
Mrs Julie Egbo – Owerri North
Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi – Owerri West
Prince Marcel Amadioha – Ohaji Egbema
Hon. Gilbert Nwosu – Oguta
Hon. Uche Obiozor – Oru East
Hon. Emeka Agbor – Oru West
Rt. Hon. Obinna Egu – Ngor-Okpala
Hon. Magnus Okolie – Orlu
Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie – Mbaitoli
Hon. Modestus Osakwe – Isu
Hon.Ebonine Ozioma Worship – Njaba
Rt Hon Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu – Nwangele
Hon. Chisom Ojukwu – Nkwerre
Hon. Doris Anyanwu – Ahiazu Mbaise
Hon. Princewill Amuchie – Aboh Mbaise
Hon. Henry Agbasonu – Ezinihitte Mbaise
Hon. Sam Osuji – Isiala Mbano
Ben Ozoemenam – Ehime Mbano
Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo – Okigwe
Prince Humphrey Okeke – Obowo
Lady Blessing Nwoba – Ihitte-Uboma
Hon. Chibuzor Umunnakwe – Onuimo
The party further expressed confidence that the emergence of the candidates would strengthen the APC’s chances of securing victory across the State during the 2027 general elections.

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