Nigeria’s opposition landscape is taking shape early ahead of the 2027 presidential race, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) introduces a new power-sharing proposal aimed at preventing internal fractures after its presidential primaries.
The party says the initiative is designed to strengthen unity among opposition figures and avoid the post-primary rivalries that have historically weakened coalitions in Nigeria’s turbulent political arena.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Monday, ADC strategist Lukman Salihu outlined what the party calls a “collegiate system” of governance — a model intended to shift political leadership away from a winner-takes-all structure.
Under the proposed framework, power would be distributed among a collective leadership structure even after a single presidential candidate emerges, ensuring shared decision-making within the party’s top hierarchy.
Salihu said the vision is to replace what he described as “emperor-style leadership” with a more collaborative approach rooted in team governance and accountability.
He noted that heightened political activity around key opposition figures — including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi — should be viewed as healthy competition rather than signs of division within the opposition space.
According to the ADC, the plan is anchored on a citizen-focused manifesto drafted by a 50-member committee. The party also says it will introduce stricter screening procedures to ensure that only credible and broadly acceptable candidates emerge ahead of the polls.
The proposal comes as Nigeria’s opposition parties begin early manoeuvres to position themselves against the ruling establishment in what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 election cycle.
