The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the credibility of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, calling it a disorganised alliance of individuals rather than political parties. APC National Chairman Nentanwe Yilwatda made the remarks during a media interaction on Wednesday, stating that a legitimate coalition requires parties, not individuals. He cited the APC's growing strength in the North-west, asserting that Kano is "a given" for the party in 2027. Yilwatda noted that political structures from the 2023 elections have either remained intact or returned to the APC in key states. In Kaduna, he claimed the party has regained support in southern areas previously opposed to it. In Sokoto, the APC now controls three of four major political blocs, while in Katsina, key actors have aligned with the party. He added that all four political blocs in Zamfara have collapsed into the APC. APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru dismissed the ADC's electoral relevance, saying it has not won a single seat. He described the coalition as a "coalition of confusion" weakened by internal disagreements and personal interests.
Nentanwe Yilwatda's dismissal of the ADC coalition reveals more than opposition weakness—it exposes the APC's reliance on regional consolidation rather than national appeal. By framing the opposition as structurally invalid, the APC deflects from broader questions about governance performance, focusing instead on the mechanics of political alignment.
The APC's confidence is rooted in tangible shifts in North-western political dynamics, particularly the reabsorption of defectors and fractured blocs in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara. These gains suggest a pattern of patronage-based realignment rather than ideological loyalty, where political survival often trumps party affiliation. The claim that southern Kaduna has "returned" to the APC underscores how fluid voter blocs are in the region, shaped more by elite negotiations than grassroots sentiment.
For ordinary Nigerians in the North-west, this means political decisions may continue to be made above their heads, with little regard for policy or accountability. The consolidation of power within the APC could reduce electoral competition, limiting voter choice in 2027. Where opposition presence weakens, oversight weakens with it.
This story fits a broader trend in Nigerian politics: the triumph of machine politics over institutional opposition. The framing of the ADC as a "coalition of confusion" echoes past dismissals of opposition efforts, yet it also highlights the ruling party's growing comfort in a fragmented political landscape.
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