Checkout Magazine has learnt that a major step towards the battle for power in 2027 is likely to be taken today in Abuja.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figures are expected to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which they have embraced as the vehicle for their coalition.
Sources said the plan was perfected at a meeting yesterday under the aegis of Concerned PDP Elders. The meeting took place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The ADC will be adopted with like-minded politicians in the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), it was gathered.
A source at the meeting said: “We have lost hope of rescuing PDP. We have decided to move to ADC for a national coalition for the 2027 general election.
“PDP has been hijacked. We have come to realise that a committee, headed by a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, set up to serve as an arbiter, is compromised. Attempts to register a new party appear to be a long shot.”
The source explained that the plan to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) was thwarted by the “sudden emergence” of the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA).
With the two associations sharing the same acronym, the prospect of registration becomes complex.
It was gathered that the initial move to consider the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by all coalition partners was unsuccessful, despite the defection to the party by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“The party was infiltrated and our plans were frustrated.”
The source explained that the coalition members had no choice but to opt for ADC.
The source added: “The ADC is now the coalition party, which should be unveiled on Wednesday (today).”
Apart from Atiku, PDP leaders who attended yesterday’s meeting were a former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark; Sen. Aminu Tambuwal; former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Abdul Ningi.
Others were a former Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam; a former Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke; ex-PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus; a former National Women leader of PDP, Mrs. Josephine Anenih and Hajia Inna Ciroma.
Also present were a former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia; a former presidential adviser Sen. Ben Obi; ex-Minister of Education Dr. Sam Egwu; a former Niger Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and a former PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan.
