THIS DAWN — Nigeria’s political landscape is shifting dramatically as political heavyweights pick up membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), latest on the line being the former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Malam El-Rufai formally picked his membership card in Kaduna on Thursday ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event coincides with the move by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last week, who also picked his card in Adamawa.
Party insiders say more heavyweight defections are expected in the coming weeks as the realignments take shape.
El-Rufai, who appeared in a viral video receiving his ADC membership card, declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has “lost its soul, lost its purpose, and lost the trust of Nigerians.”
He vowed that the ADC, reinforced by incoming political heavyweights, would “send the cursed APC leadership packing in 2027.”
In a fiery address delivered in Kaduna, El-Rufai accused the Tinubu administration of worsening hardship, mismanaging the economy, and betraying the expectations of ordinary citizens.
“The hardship in Nigeria today is unbearable. The people who brought this suffering will be voted out.
“The APC has derailed. We will build a formidable coalition that will rescue this country,” he said.
All eyes on Peter Obi
He also took a swipe at opposition leader Peter Obi, arguing that the Labour Party had been “reduced to an empty shell.”
According to him, “Peter Obi has no reason to remain in the Labour Party.
“Nigerians want a serious alternative platform—not a one-man political shop.”
Atiku Abubakar has now joined the ADC, marking one of the most significant defections ahead of 2027.
His entry is expected to reshape the party’s national structure and strategy.
A senior ADC official, who requested anonymity, described Atiku’s move as “the beginning of a major political realignment that will shock the country”.
“Atiku has joined. El-Rufai has joined. Many more will join soon,” the official said.
“By June, the ADC will become the nucleus of the broad coalition that will challenge both the APC and the weakened platforms of the opposition,” he added.
Political analysts say the emerging coalition could dramatically alter the 2027 presidential race, especially as discontent grows over inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
For now, the ADC appears to be positioning itself as the new convergence point for dissatisfied political blocs seeking a fresh national platform.
As defections gather momentum, Nigeria may be entering a new phase of political restructuring that could redefine the country’s power map ahead of 2027.
