Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, has disclosed that at least seven prominent figures in the coalition movement are being pushed by supporters to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu.
Nwosu stated this amid growing speculation that some northern power blocs within the coalition movement are already backing the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate for a one-term deal.
The opposition coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 presidential contest.
Speaking in an interview, Nwosu said there were seven coalition leaders being tipped to replace Tinubu in 2027, but the ADC would embrace an open selection process.
Aside from Obi, he said supporters of Atiku, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kaduna and Osun states governors, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, and those of the Oyo State 2023 ADC governorship candidate, Bamidele Ajadi, were all rooting for their respective leaders to succeed Tinubu.
“We all have the right of expression. And as far as the coalition is concerned, everybody is important, and that is the beauty of the new party we are growing.
“There are some people who want Aregbesola to run. There are also people who are rooting for Dr Ganiyu Bamidele Ajadi to run. There are also people rooting for Amaechi to run. There are also those calling for Atiku to run.
“El-Rufai also has his own plan. Even Sule Lamido is also running. I have been part of the coalition conversations, and I know the personalities that are interested in running. So, I am telling you from the inside. Even the old ADC may be backing Ajadi. That tells you it is free, and that is democracy. But the selection process will be open and transparent,” Nwosu said.
He explained that as the coalition movement gathers momentum, supporters of the presidential hopefuls were holding engagements, even as the Peoples Democratic Party, and the All Progressives Congress continue to lose their membership base to the ADC.
“People are working together and having conversations. So, we will gradually start to see the leadership in each person. The real model will start to create the new Nigeria and the African renaissance that all of us are interested in. As I have said, it’s beyond politics and power. It is to rescue Nigeria from ICU to global reckoning.
“This is a big coalition. What we have built within this short time of coming together is bigger than any political party in Nigeria. Already, 95 percent of the PDP has collapsed into our party with all their networks and grassroots stuff. For the APC, over 35 percent of their membership is collapsing into this movement. The Labour Party is seeing over 80 percent coming to us,” he revealed.
The Punch
