Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its democratic evolution, a recurring juncture where the nation must choose between progress and stagnation. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), Nigeria is navigating a path toward economic revitalization, institutional reform, and national cohesion. Yet, as with any transformative era, there are those who resist change, not out of principle, but out of self-interest. The so-called African Democratic Congress (ADC), repackaged as a grand coalition, is nothing more than a gathering of political opportunists, a desperate alliance which I prefer to call the Abysmal Demonic Coalition (ADC). This group lacks the ideological foundation or genuine vision to lead Nigeria forward. Instead, it represents the last gasp of fading political relics clinging to relevance.
This is a coalition without conviction at best. No doubt that political coalitions can be powerful when built on shared ideals, but the ADC is nothing more than a marriage of convenience. Its ranks are filled with career politicians who have hopscotched across parties from PDP, APC, and now ADC. They’re all driven not by conviction but by survival. These are individuals who treat governance like a game of musical chairs, shifting allegiances whenever the music stops. One wonders what their guiding philosophy is and what new solutions they offer?
The truth is, there are none. This coalition is a recycled cast of former governors, ex-senators, and political godfathers who have had their time in power yet failed to leave lasting legacies and their sudden reinvention as champions of change is laughable. Nigerians have long memories. They remember the empty promises, the corruption scandals, and the lack of tangible development under many of these figures. Now, they expect the public to believe they have suddenly rediscovered patriotism? It is a hard sell.
President Tinubu is a leader with a track record and he is no political novice. His tenure as governor of Lagos State remains a benchmark for effective governance in Nigeria. Under his leadership, Lagos underwent a financial revolution, its internally generated revenue (IGR) skyrocketed, enabling investments in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare and justice delivery. Institutions like LASTMA and LAWMA, now taken for granted, were his brainchild. These were not random acts of governance but deliberate, strategic moves to build a functional state.
Even his critics acknowledge his political acumen and former Governor Sule Lamido once admitted that “Tinubu told Buhari, ‘I’ll make you President’ and he did.” This is not about political maneuvering, it is about understanding the complexities of Nigerian politics and having the will to shape its direction. President Tinubu didn’t stumble into power, he earned it through decades of strategic engagement, coalition-building, and policy-driven governance.
It is obvious that the ADC is attempting a flawed imitation of the APC Model created at the threshold of the 2015 general elections. This attempt by ADC to replicate the APC’s 2015 coalition is doomed from the start. The prior 2015 merger succeeded because it was fresh, backed by genuine public discontent, and anchored by a clear opposition message. Today, Nigerians are wiser. They can see through the facade of a hastily assembled group of politicians whose only common goal is reclaiming power, not serving the people.
Many of these figures were part of past administrations that left Nigeria worse than they met it. Now, they posture as saviours? It is an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians. A true alternative would present bold, innovative policies and not just repackaged rhetoric from yesterday’s failures.
I understand that there’s a move to make Peter Obi the arrow head of this coalition but without giving him the podium. This is nothing but an illusion of a unified opposition
Let me quickly state that the Peter Obi’s appeal, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, cannot be ignored. His 2023 campaign energized a generation hungry for change especially among the first time voters just as MKO appealed to many of us as first time voters in June 1993. However, unlike MKO and hope 93, movements built on social media hype and emotional rhetoric often struggle to translate into sustained political success. The ADC is attempting to co-opt Obi’s influence, hoping his “Obidient” base will mask their lack of substance. It won’t work!!!
It may be true that Nigerian politics is still deeply influenced by regional, ethnic, and religious dynamics. The ADC’s alliance is not built on shared ideology but on tactical convenience. Such arrangements rarely endure because, without a unifying vision, internal contradictions eventually tear them apart.
I have come to agree that Nigeria is going through a painful but necessary reforms under PBAT, his administration has taken bold, albeit painful, steps like the fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and fiscal restructuring. These measures were long overdue, yet past leaders lacked the courage to implement them. Although Nigerians are feeling the pinch, but these are the birth pangs of necessary reform. And I have no doubt that Nigeria will be better off at the end.
The ADC and its allies are just exploiting this hardship by calling for resistance rather than resilience. But what is their alternative? A return to the subsidy scam-ridden past? A revival of the same policies that brought Nigeria to its knees? Responsible opposition should critique constructively, not merely fan the flames of discontent without offering viable solutions.
The future belongs to builders and not opportunists. Nigeria does not need another coalition of aggrieved politicians seeking relevance. It needs leaders committed to the hard work of nation-building. President Tinubu, for all the criticisms, is a builder. His history proves it. The ADC’s alliance, on the other hand, is a coalition of the unwilling. Unwilling to accept their time has passed, unwilling to admit their failures, and unwilling to let true progress take root.
Let me be clear, any alliance formed out of bitterness rather than vision will crumble. Nigeria is moving forward, and no amount of political noise will derail that. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan, it is a commitment to a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria. And as long as builders like Tinubu remain at the helm, the nation will rise above the distractions of desperate coalitions.
– Dayo Babalola is a political analyst and advocate for progressive governance.
