Sowore Slams ADC as APC Recycled Politicians

LAGOS, Nigeria  — Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has sharply criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ongoing opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the movement as one dominated by recycled politicians from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement that has since gone viral on social media, Sowore declared that several prominent figures associated with the ADC were actually founding or key members of the APC. He specifically named former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Sowore stated: “Rauf Aregbesola, Malami, Rotimi Amaechi, Elrufai are all founding members of APC. The major sponsors of ADC today aren’t APC members of 2015, they were APC members of 2023 and some of them still work for APC. Alex Otti’s Labour Party’s presidential candidate is Tinubu.”

NaijaChoice News reports that Sowore’s remarks come as the ADC positions itself as the preferred platform for a broad opposition coalition that includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, El-Rufai, Amaechi, Aregbesola, and other political heavyweights. The party, now led by former Senate President David Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola in a key leadership role, has been holding summits and strategy meetings, including a recent one in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed at forging a united front against President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

Sowore, who declined an invitation to the Ibadan opposition summit, has consistently argued that Nigerians deserve a genuine alternative rather than what he calls a “recycling of failed political actors.” He maintains that the current ADC arrangement represents a rebranding of the same establishment politicians who have held power under different party banners, including APC, PDP, and even elements within the Labour Party.

The activist’s pointed reference to Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party aligns with recent claims by some LP leaders, such as South-West Vice Chairman Abayomi Arabambi, suggesting that certain sections of the party, including Otti, may not actively oppose Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Sowore used this to question the opposition credentials of the Labour Party in the emerging political realignment.

Political observers note that the ADC coalition is attempting to consolidate opposition votes that were split between Atiku and Obi in the 2023 presidential election. However, Sowore insists that without a clean break from past political actors and their alleged baggage, the coalition lacks the moral authority and credibility to win the trust of Nigerians seeking real change.

As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, Sowore’s AAC is projecting itself as an independent, revolutionary alternative that rejects alliances with what he describes as the “decadence and deception” of the major political parties.