African Democratic Congress: Nigeria's Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi form new party to challenge Bola Tinubu
Why have they formed a coalition?
The announcement of the ADC is the culmination of a series of talks between the leaders to put up a united front in the 2027 election, rather than splitting their vote. Tinubu won the 2023 election with just 37% of the vote after opposition supporters were divided between Abubakar who got 29%, and Obi with 25%.Obi had broken away from the PDP after the party chose Abubakar as its presidential candidate. At the unveiling of the ADC, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country's democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.Both the PDP and LP are also battling internal crises which some believe were instigated by external forces.Analyst Shehu Iliyasu said Abubakar and Obi are learning the lessons of the last election."Both Atiku [Abubakar] and Obi felt they came so close in 2023 and would have maybe won on a joint ticket so they want to amend their mistake by working together this time around," he told the BBC.
Who are the main characters in the ADC?
Tinubu's biggest challengers in the last elections, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are the face of the coalition.Although there's a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that Abubakar will have another shot at the presidency - it would be his fifth attempt - with former Anambra governor Obi as his vice-presidential pick.Other political heavyweights in the coalition include former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, former Tinubu ally turned foe Nasir El-Rufai and powerful minister in the last dispensation Rotimi Amaechi.
What are their chances in 2027?
Analyst Ben Kenneth say he believes the coalition has a better chance of defeating Tinubu than last time."If you look at what Atiku and Obi got in the last election, it's clear to see that they would've won assuming they worked together, so it's a good thing they have realised they need each other,' he noted. However, another analyst Sani Hamisu feels Tinubu has a better chance now than in 2023."In Nigeria and Africa, when a leader is in office seeking a second term, he hardly loses, it is very rare and that's why I feel Tinubu has a better chance now than when he wasn't in office in 2019," he said.
Is the ruling party worried?
The ruling party says it is not bothered in the least by the coalition which it does not see as a real threat.Acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori told BBC Hausa the coalition would have no impact on the APC."Nobody is talking about a coalition except in Abuja. Even in Abuja, they are in a hotel, and when they are defeated in elections, they will leave the country," he said.
What are the main political parties saying?
The country's biggest opposition party, the PDP had since ruled out joining the coalition, preferring to face the APC on its own.The Labour Party also called on its supporters to remain focused and resolute behind the party, denying any plans to join a coalition.
More BBC stories on Nigeria:
Nigeria's major tax overhaul explainedWhat is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria?Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king
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