EXCLUSIVE: Coalition closes in on ADC as platform for 2027 — but el-Rufai makes last-ditch case for SDP

Opposition leaders are virtually agreed on adopting the African Democratic Party (ADC) as the platform to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election, TheCable can report.

TheCable learnt that Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, and other opposition figures have been holding high-level meetings aimed at forming a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 polls.

In what sources described as a “near-consensus”, opposition leaders were on the verge of adopting the ADC as their joint platform — a decision that was met with little opposition.

Insiders told TheCable that el-Rufai led a delegation from the SDP to a meeting with coalition representatives on Tuesday night, where he tried to persuade them to consider his newly adopted party.

Sources say el-Rufai argued that the SDP could serve as a stronger vehicle for the coalition because of name recognition and structure, eventually persuading them to allow the party present a formal pitch.

An insider said el-Rufai’s appeal prompted the coalition leaders to pause final adoption of ADC and give the former Kaduna governor two weeks to present a formal pitch on why the SDP is the best option.

A coalition member emphasised that the “preponderance of opinion” within the group favours the ADC.

In what appeared to signal the finalisation of his plan to join the coalition, Abubakar, while addressing a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Nasarawa state led by Jibirin Sabo Keana, along with members of the National Opinion Leaders headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki, in April, said the coalition train had already left the station.

“Indeed, the coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades,” the former vice-president said.

ATIKU’S PDP PLANNED EXIT AND JONATHAN’S SHADOW

Sources told TheCable that Abubakar and his allies are preparing to exit the PDP, where internal wrangling is causing growing unease.

Insiders said Abubakar’s loyalists believe former President Goodluck Jonathan is considering a comeback — and may secure the PDP presidential ticket, especially with support from key men in the party.

Peter Obi, who contested under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, is also said to be preparing to leave the party, which has been plagued by legal disputes and leadership tussles.

The coalition is expected to reconvene in early June to take a final decision, which could shape the dynamics of the 2027 election.

When he left the APC in March, el-Rufai said he would work to unite opposition leaders against the APC in future elections.