2027 showdown: Coalition slams Tinubu as Wike, ADC trade blows

The political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections grew tense on Thursday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) exchanged harsh words over rising hardship and the growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike dismissed the emerging ADC-led coalition, arguing that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the capacity to unseat President Tinubu. According to Wike, Nigerians are not considering the ADC as a serious alternative.

Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Working Committee, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified that the party has yet to issue any official stance on the coalition.

The ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, accused a faction of the party led by former Senate President David Mark of working to impose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s candidate for 2027. Kachikwu pledged to challenge the new leadership in court.

Responding to Wike’s criticism, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi stated that Wike appeared threatened by the new coalition, which he described as a genuine platform of the Nigerian people aiming to bring change.

The tensions followed Wednesday’s unveiling of the ADC as the central coalition platform seeking to defeat Tinubu in 2027, citing his alleged failure to tackle the country’s economic and social challenges.