The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a power‑sharing plan designed to keep Nigeria’s opposition united ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The proposal introduces a “collegiate system”, which the party says will move away from winner‑takes‑all politics and ensure power is shared within a team, even after a single presidential candidate emerges.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Lukman Salihu, a key promoter of the party’s reform agenda, explained: “The new framework we are trying to put together is a collegiate framework. It is not a framework where one person will be the winner of everything.”
Salihu said the system is meant to prevent concentration of power. “Our leaders are committed to ensure that if we produce the next government, it is not going to be like an emperor presiding over an empire… It will be a collegiate team spirit, whereby all decisions will be taken jointly.”
The move comes as competition intensifies among opposition figures, including Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi. Salihu insisted this friction should not be mistaken for division.
“What you are seeing is contestation, and when you have politics without contestation, then it is no longer politics,” he said.
He added: “One person will emerge, but will emerge as part of a team, not someone who defeats others and pushes them out of the race.”
Alongside the power‑sharing plan, ADC said it has developed its policy direction anchored on a manifesto adopted at its last convention.
“The party set up a 50‑member committee to work out its policies and manifesto. As we speak today, the manifesto has been adopted at the last convention. The manifesto is all about ensuring citizen‑centred governance, whereby all the issues confronting Nigerians are addressed,” Salihu explained.
Criticism Of APC And Confidence In Opposition
Salihu criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying: “To see where the APC is today is quite disappointing. All the so‑called consensus arrangements across the states have collapsed. Instead of parties regulating elected officials, elected officials now regulate parties.”
He argued that restoring party discipline is central to the opposition’s plan. “Having a collegiate system ensures that party organs work and regulate the conduct of elected representatives,” he said.
On concerns that aspirants may refuse to back rivals, Salihu expressed confidence. “I do not see him (Amaechi) walking away if someone else emerges victorious. He will remain part of the same collegiate system.”
He concluded: “We are ready to confront the situation as it is, and we believe the Nigerian people will make the right choice at the end.”
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