Nigeria Opposition's Endgame: El-Rufai Confirms ADC as Coalition Vehicle to 'Send Tinubu Back to Lagos'

In a dramatic confirmation, Nasir El-Rufai disclosed that opposition leaders Atiku, Peter Obi, and he have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition platform for 2027. The move aims to unseat Tinubu – yet their pledge to retain his tech minister, Bosun Tijani, reveals tactical nuances in their "anti-establishment" stance.

• Coalition Formalized: Tuesday’s late-night Abuja meeting cemented ADC as the opposition’s unified vehicle, targeting Tinubu’s defeat.
• Selective Retention: El-Rufai’s exception for Tijani (“he’s doing good work”) hints at cherry-picking performers from the current administration.
• Regional Signaling: The Arewa TechFest announcement strategically appeals to Northern youth amid rising discontent.
• Contradiction Alert: Opposition seeks to oust Tinubu while praising his cabinet – a duality that may confuse voters.

This coalition moves beyond mere alliance-building; it’s an attempt to rebrand opposition politics by acknowledging competent incumbents while rejecting the administration’s core. Political rivalries now dance with pragmatism – but voters will decide if this is unity or opportunism.

Can an opposition coalition credibly reject a government while embracing its "good" ministers?