A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the party’s adoption by the coalition of opposition politicians led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In a statement, the factional national publicity secretary, Musa Isa Matara, accused the opposition politicians of attempting to hijack the party, insisting that the ADC is not a “private coalition platform.” He further noted that the party’s state executives, youth and women leaders, as well as ward coordinators, were not consulted in the discussions that led to the coalition’s decision. The statement read in part: “We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain. “The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.” The faction’s statement followed the announcement that the coalition leaders have adopted the ADC as their political platform for the 2027 election and that former Senate President David Mark and former Governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola have been appointed as the party’s interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively. Recall that opposition politicians advocating for a coalition, together with some ADC leaders, convened in Abuja on Tuesday. The meeting, which brought together former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-Senate President David Mark; former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River); and former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus, led to the adoption of the ADC as the coalition’s platform for the 2027 elections. The coalition also named Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister of sports, as its spokesperson. However, the ADC’s national publicity secretary has rejected this move, condemning it as a “hijack and imposition.” He further stated that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) did not ratify the recent appointments. The statement added: “The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading. “Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition. “If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty. The group warned those trooping into the party under a coalition arrangement to beware that the ADC has been “battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections.” “These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” the faction stated.