Nigeria is once more at the point of political reinvention, or should we say, repetition.
As the 2027 general elections begin casting their long shadow, a new political alignment with fanfare and old faces has emerged. Maybe not so new in many things, but at least it has a new name, ADC: Hold on though, even its name is not new, or maybe that’s the irony.
Opposition colossi on July 2, 2025, converged in Abuja under the banner of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), boasting a new sweeping realignment which they refer to as the Third Force. As expected, the symbolism was rich, the rhetoric heavy, and the headlines unavoidable: “Nigeria’s Last Hope,” “A New Political Era,” “Coalition to Save the Nation.”
But behind the headlines lies a question that cannot be avoided: Is this truly a government of the people, or merely another exercise in political survival that is reaching for power?
This country danced to this song before. In 2013, that union which produced the All Progressives Congress (APC) was hailed as masterstroke. The opposition party parties were brought together under one umbrella to oust the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from power after 16 years. Nigerians, yearning for change, bought in. But eight years later, the same economic crisis, insecurity, corruption, and collapse of institutions endure. That union as it can be seen, only succeeded in changing the personnel but never changed the script.
The ADC alliance now brings together the veteran politicians of yesteryears: Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, even Peter Obi, and the rest. These are not beginners. These are deal makers who have been on both sides of Nigeria’s inability to rule. Now together, they claim to be willing to “rescue” Nigeria from the status of a one-party state. Their working draft “Contract with Nigerians” manifesto vows to be revealed in weeks ahead.
But Nigerians are no longer impressed by slogans and stage maneuvers.
Nigerian are asking: What is fresh in this coalition other than the clothing? Where is the ideological center? Where are the new voices? How does a coalition of yesterday’s men usher the future?
Already, there are intimations of tension. Labour Party has issued Peter Obi a 48-hour notice for defecting into ADC realignment. There is brewing factional crisis in the ADC itself, as reports emerge of internal disagreements regarding zoning, ambition, and strategy. The governing APC, realizing potential threats, has not hesitated to describe the alliance as “recycled chaos.” And indeed, a majority of Nigerians agree, at least so far.
But the real issue isn’t whether this coalition is popular or smooth, rather, the real issue now is whether it’s deliberate.
Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of coalitions. It’s the absence of belief. Over 90 political parties overwhelm our electoral process, but our governance is transactional. We don’t need more parties; we need more vision. We need fewer power brokers and more nation builders. Fewer political marriages created due to fear of political marginalization and more on shared values, concrete outcomes, and visionary reforms.
The big questions remain:
Will this coalition democratize or simply recycle power?
Will it fight for restructuring, judicial reform, fiscal federalism, and electoral justice?
Will it empower Nigeria’s youth and women beyond tokenism?
Will it campaign on ideology, or only on identity?
Right now, our economy stumbles, our institutions stumble, our future hangs in the balance. We cannot afford to replace one elite deal with another.
Let the ADC and its supporters bring out a clear, consistent, and believable agenda, not just promises. Let them show their willingness to serve, not just rule. And let Nigerians judge them not by who they are against, but by what they stand for.
This is not everything about 2027. This is about whether or not we will finally end the cycle or once more be cheering a parade which takes us to the same place.
Nigeria does not need a coalition of convenience. Nigeria needs a coalition of conscience.
