As the legal battle surrounding the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensifies, some principal officers of the party have revealed that coalition leaders are seriously considering a switch to the newly registered All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
This move, sources say, is in response to the ongoing litigation that threatens to destabilise ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recent discussions within the coalition suggest that ADA, which was approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on September 11, 2025, is now seen as a more stable and viable alternative.
The coalition leaders, including top members of ADC, are reportedly weighing the potential of migrating to ADA should the legal disputes within ADC escalate further.
The coalition, whose membership largely consists of ADC leaders, initially formed ADA as a contingency plan to avoid the legal challenges stemming from the party’s internal conflicts.
ADA was officially submitted to INEC on June 19, 2025, after a series of consultations among key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kaduna’s former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The court case at the centre of the dispute involves Deputy National Chairman Nafi’u Bala, who is seeking to assume the leadership of ADC following the resignation of Ralph Nwosu, the former National Chairman.
Bala’s legal action, which challenges the interim appointments of David Mark as Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary, has been closely followed by political observers.
On September 4, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court refused to grant Bala’s request for an ex-parte order to remove Mark and Aregbesola from their positions, but the case is set to resume on September 15, 2025.
A credible source close to the coalition confirmed that leaders of the group are increasingly viewing ADA as a better option for the future.
“ADA was always meant to be a reliable platform for us, which is why we pushed for its registration. Now that ADA has been cleared by INEC, we are seriously considering moving there, especially if the litigation within ADC threatens our agenda,” the source explained.
The consideration to move to ADA has gained traction, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing legal battle within ADC.
A senior party member shared, “If the court rules against the David Mark-led executive, we will take all necessary steps to complete the ADA process and transition into the new party.”
The entry of ADA into the political scene presents a broader platform for coalition members to consolidate their political strength.
Coalition leaders believe that ADA offers a stronger foundation to build a formidable opposition to the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
“If we join ADA, it gives us a broader base to work with. This is an emerging dynamic, and the coalition’s size and reach are now greater than that of ADC,” a principal official remarked.
There are also speculations that members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could join the coalition after the party’s convention in November.
This addition would undoubtedly alter the political landscape, further strengthening the coalition’s position.
A coalition leader hinted, “Once the PDP members join, a full-fledged alliance will take shape, making ADA the central platform for our political aspirations.”
Despite these developments, some within the ADC are still hesitant to abandon the party. One party leader acknowledged that while discussions are ongoing, no final decision has been made.
“We’ve invested time and effort into ADC, and while the possibility of migrating to ADA is being considered, it’s not a decision that has been formalised yet,” the official said.
The public response to the potential shift has been mixed. While some see the move as a necessary step to ensure political stability, others worry about the fragmentation of the opposition forces. Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesperson for ADC, dismissed the idea of migrating to ADA, stating,
“There’s no plan to leave ADC. The coalition may own ADA, but there’s no reason to migrate at this time.”
However, senior ADC figures have confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation.
“If the unexpected happens within ADC, we will move to ADA. But for now, we remain committed to our cause,” a former minister and coalition leader remarked.
