By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
Nigeria’s emerging leading opposition political party, the African Democratic Congress – ADC, is reaching a breaking point owing to several court cases that have posed a great challenge to the leadership of the party. With these court cases persisting while the 2027 Nigerian General Election timetable is already in motion, there are heightened fears by the leaders of the coalition comprising former governors of different Nigerian states, former Vice President of Nigeria, and many others, that the party may not be ready to participate in the next year’s election.
Given this consideration, except for any last-minute decision, there is a serious ongoing negotiation with the People Redemption Party – PRP, as the new party for the coalition. With only about 21 registered political parties in Nigeria, registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, it is unclear what metrics were used by the coalition to select ADC in the first place, despite pre-existing court cases and public accusations against the party leadership. Similarly, it is also unclear how the members of the coalition are considering settling for PRP as its alternative.
In Nigeria, party membership is simply a matter of resigning from one’s membership of a party or just registering with a new party. No form of seriousness is attached to it. For the time being, all the leaders of the coalition have a long history of membership in diverse political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress – APC, which raises a question of ideological conviction. Though in Nigeria, this doesn’t seem to matter. Realistically, it is uncertain that any coalition formed in less than 10 months before the election can have the required impact on an incumbent that has 31 serving state governors, a majority of members in Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives.
There are many questions, but again, an opposition that could not prepare for an election more than three years ago and settle a fundamental requirement as the platform for the contest; it is doubtful that they are ready for opposition politics at a scale that can unseat a ruling and entrenched party like the APC in Nigeria.
