The All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the newly formed coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a weak attempt to replicate the historic 2013 merger that gave birth to the ruling party.
In an interview with The Punch, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, criticized the coalition as a gathering of “strange bedfellows” without the ideological unity, structure, or political weight that powered the APC to national prominence.
“They’re simply trying to copy what we did,” Arodiogbu said.
“Unless APC governors, lawmakers, or key leaders are defecting, there’s no real cause for concern. Who exactly is moving to the ADC?”
He noted that the strength of the APC’s formation over a decade ago lay in the strategic alliance between key political blocs: Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Atiku Abubakar’s New PDP faction, and others—backed by Tinubu’s political network and Buhari’s strong northern voter base.
“In contrast, the ADC coalition is a mix of discontented politicians from the PDP and Labour Party without a unifying ideology or electoral base. It’s not strategy, it’s desperation,” he added.
Arodiogbu also addressed speculations surrounding former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s alleged involvement with the coalition, attributing it to personal frustration over being excluded from President Tinubu’s cabinet.
“Should we even be talking about El-Rufai? His only issue is that he didn’t get a ministerial slot.
“That’s not ideology—it’s entitlement,” he said. “Aside from him, who else in that coalition truly commands national relevance?”
He emphasized that the APC continues to grow, gaining new lawmakers and governors, even as some members of rival parties defect to join the ruling party.
Arodiogbu concluded by reaffirming President Tinubu’s reform agenda, stressing his administration’s commitment to economic discipline, eliminating waste, and building a sustainable financial future for Nigeria.
“That’s the difference between APC and those masquerading as alternatives,” he said.
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