… We don’t need a merger to defeat Tinubu — ADC
By Our Correspondents
The OK Movement has ruled out any merger with external political organisations ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that its independence remains non-negotiable even as political realignments intensify across the country.
This is just as the African Democratic Congress declared that it does not need a coalition with any political party to win the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, will defeat President Bola Tinubu at the polls.
The OK Movement, which emerged from the coming together of Obidient and Kwankwasiyya supporters to back the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, reached its decision at a national leadership summit held in Abuja.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the Convener, Ladipo Johnson, and National Secretary, Sadaatu Sani, with coordinators from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in attendance.
“The Summit resolves that the OK Movement shall remain an independent organisation and shall not be merged into or absorbed by any external political body,” the communiqué stated.
“Independence does not mean isolation: we remain ready to coordinate closely with allied groups in pursuit of shared goals,” it added.
The movement also rejected speculations about a plot to remove its Director-General and founder, John Ughulu, insisting that its grassroots structure was built around his leadership.
“Our reasoning is practical rather than sentimental. The Movement was built ward by ward, largely on the personal credibility of its founder with the volunteers who make up its ranks,” the communiqué read.
“Our loyalty is not to a title, but to the man who recruited, trained and stood with us,” the leadership declared.
The group warned that removing the Director-General or abandoning its independent status could trigger a collapse of its grassroots structure.
“Should the Director-General be removed, or the Movement’s independence set aside, they have indicated that they would not continue to operate under the resulting arrangement,” the communiqué warned.
“We do not say this to apply pressure. We say it because Nigerians deserve an accurate picture of what would, and would not, remain available on the ground,” it added.
In a bid to resolve internal disagreements, the leadership extended an invitation to Ms. Jacky Wayas to return to the movement as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under Ughulu’s supervision.
The summit also confirmed the appointment of Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director-General for the Northern region, following the resignation of Amb. Muhammad Auwal Musa from that position.
Following the summit, the OK Movement leadership proceeded to Kwankwaso’s Abuja residence to update him on the outcome of their deliberations.
They also visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, who chairs the movement’s Advisory Council, and he reportedly reinforced the need for unity while warning against any move to fold the organisation into the NDC party structure.
“Galadima also cautioned against any proposal to merge the organisation into the NDC party, irrespective of arguments that such a merger would improve efficiency,” the communiqué stated.
“We hold the vision of a better Nigeria in the highest esteem and remain fully committed to that cause. We ask only that the collective will of the grassroots, freely expressed, be respected,” the communiqué concluded.
In similar development, the African Democratic Congress has taken an even firmer stance, declaring that it does not need any coalition to secure victory in 2027.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known during a television interview, dismissing suggestions that the ADC requires a merger with any political party to defeat President Bola Tinubu.
“We don’t need a coalition to win 2027. Elections are won at polling units through mobilisation and trust, not through television alliances,” Abdullahi said.
He acknowledged that a broad-based coalition would have made the task easier but insisted that victory remains achievable without one.
“What I’m saying is that we don’t need a coalition to win this election. The African Democratic Congress does not need a coalition to win this election,” he stated.
“If we are able to build the kind of coalition that we started, it will make our job easier, but we don’t necessarily need the coalition to win the election,” Abdullahi added.
He expressed confidence that Atiku Abubakar has what it takes to defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
“Atiku will defeat Tinubu in 2027. Nigerians are looking for experienced leadership that understands the economy and can restore hope,” he stated.
Abdullahi described Atiku as the most prepared candidate with national spread, private sector experience and a clear economic blueprint.
The ADC spokesman also clarified Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy, explaining that the former Vice President never supported abrupt removal without safeguards.
“Atiku promised to stop the present fuel subsidy removal because it was done without palliatives, without refineries working, and without cushioning the poor,” he said.
According to him, Atiku plans to first fix local refineries, stabilise the naira, and provide targeted support before any deregulation.
The ADC spokesperson accused the Tinubu administration of mismanaging the subsidy removal, leading to high inflation, transport costs and hardship.
Abdullahi said the ADC is already mobilising members nationwide and will contest all elective positions in 2027 on its own strength.
He also noted that discussions among opposition parties were still ongoing, but the focus had shifted from producing a single presidential candidate to identifying areas where parties could work together, such as election monitoring and protecting votes.
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