The Presidency has rejected the opposition coalition’s embrace of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasizing that they cannot replicate the circumstances that led to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory in the 2015 general elections.
On Thursday, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, posted on X that unlike the 2013 APC merger—which was motivated by selflessness and national interest—the current coalition is an opportunistic alliance driven by a politically isolated individual with personal ambitions, lacking a unifying leader and a meaningful cause.
He went on to describe the coalition’s chief advocate as a serial election loser, desperately grasping at what he perceives as his final chance at the presidency.
Dare stated, “Supporters of this new coalition often compare it to the APC’s 2013 formation. But let’s be clear: this is not 2013, and this is not the APC.
“In 2013, the APC’s creation was fueled by selflessness, national interest, and strategic discipline. Its leaders put aside personal ambitions for the greater good. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commanding the loyalty of several governors, chose patience—he played the long game, building a sustainable political platform. He had never lost an election and did not need to force his way in.
“Contrast this with today’s coalition, where the main promoter is a serial election loser, holding on to what he sees as his last presidential chance. Unlike Tinubu, he joins the coalition alone—without the support of his state governor, region, or any significant political base. His drive is personal, not patriotic. The same applies to many of his associates.
“In 2013, the APC rallied around Muhammadu Buhari, a figure symbolizing integrity and national unity with grassroots appeal. Today, no one in the coalition commands that level of loyalty or trust—none can unite even a local ward, let alone the entire country. No one matches the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu.
“Most critically, the APC coalition was born from real grievances: the constitutional exclusion of a region that had been unfairly marginalized, and the need to end 16 years of failed governance by the PDP. It was a coalition grounded in justice and balance.
“This new coalition, however, is purely opportunistic. The presidency already belongs to the region it rightfully should, and it will remain so until 2031. Nigerians should be warned—there is no injustice to correct here, only selfish ambition to satisfy.”
