After a last-minute alleged move by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC that has effectively disabled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from fielding presidential, Governorship and Assembly seats candidates in the 2027 elections, opposition leaders are considering alternative parties to safeguard their electoral ambitions in the event the legal issues are not sorted out before May 8th when the deadline for registration of political parties are supposed to be set for submission.
According to reliable sources, the legal entanglement orchestrated against the ADC are designed to extend beyond the party primaries and the submission of the party register, thereby putting the ADC candidate at a significant disadvantage.
The ongoing crisis has prompted emergency consultations among key opposition figures, scheduled to take place in Abuja immediately after Easter, to chart a practical strategy to avert what they describe as a premeditated political trap. 
Several opposition leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed a split within the ranks. While some leaders insist on pursuing the internal ADC dispute, a majority are reportedly wary of escalating a crisis that could jeopardize the opposition’s chance of having any candidate at all.
The opposition sources explained that the submission of the party register, with its looming deadline, was a deliberate maneuver.
“If this crisis continues and members contest within ADC, and the party loses recognition, they cannot simply move to another party,” a source explained.
With INEC refusing to recognize the current leadership, any convention or congress conducted under the disputed administration would be invalid.
Legal analysts suggest that by the time court proceedings reach the Federal High Court and possibly the Appeal Court, a process that could take five to six months, the constitutional timelines for primaries and submission of registers will have expired, effectively blocking ADC from fielding a candidate.
In light of these developments, opposition leaders have reportedly agreed to meet in Abuja after Easter break to deliberate on a strategic “way forward,” including measures to shield themselves from similar entrapments.
Sources indicate that rushing to change ADC leadership was considered a misstep; a more measured approach through convention could have mitigated the fallout.
Additionally, the leaders plan to lobby the international community, highlighting concerns over the Tinubu administration’s alleged attempts to stifle opposition, and to seek support for democratic participation and free, fair elections in Nigeria.
The opposition is now reportedly focused on two crisis-free political alternatives:
Action Peoples Party (APP) – A party with a stable leadership record since its formation, currently holding two parliamentary seats through Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Matthew Nwaogu.
New Democratic Congress (NDC) – A recently formed party promoted by former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, which currently has minimal parliamentary representation but no leadership disputes.
Opposition leaders intend to carefully consider these options, keeping their final choice confidential to avoid tipping off the APC. Any official announcement regarding the party they will adopt for the 2027 elections is expected to come only when strategic timing is optimal.
As the opposition navigates this high-stakes political maneuvering, analysts say their decisions in the coming weeks could significantly reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
