A fresh crisis has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the opposition coalition after former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, announced the suspension of his membership, accusing former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his associates of sustained hostility, political marginalisation and undermining the coalition’s structure in Kaduna State.
Barely months after emerging as the platform for Nigeria’s major opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been rocked by another internal dispute.
One of the coalition’s prominent figures, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has suspended his membership of both the party and the coalition, citing what he described as persistent hostility from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his political allies.
In a letter addressed to the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and copied to other coalition leaders, Lukman said he could no longer tolerate what he termed “painful hostile treatment” from some political leaders in Kaduna.
According to him, disagreements over the party’s leadership structure in Kaduna had gradually deteriorated into a coordinated effort to sideline him despite his contributions toward building and strengthening the opposition coalition. He apologised to party leaders for his decision but insisted he had reached a point where remaining in the coalition had become untenable.
Lukman directly accused El-Rufai of orchestrating decisions that excluded him from key political discussions and leadership arrangements within the Kaduna chapter of the coalition.
He alleged that despite spending more than a year working to unite opposition figures in the state, he eventually became the target of what he described as an organised campaign of political isolation.
In one of the strongest parts of his letter, Lukman claimed he had been reduced “to the status of a bastard” within a coalition he had helped nurture.
Beyond his criticism of El-Rufai, Lukman also expressed disappointment with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, alleging that the former minister was engaging individuals in Kaduna whose commitment to building the ADC remained questionable.
According to Lukman, experienced party organisers who had invested significant effort in strengthening the coalition were increasingly being ignored while new political actors assumed greater influence over the party’s affairs in the state.
Lukman’s departure represents one of the most significant public disagreements within the ADC-led coalition since opposition leaders adopted the party as their platform for the 2027 elections.
Political observers say the dispute raises fresh questions about internal cohesion, particularly in Kaduna State, regarded as one of the coalition’s strategic battlegrounds.
While Lukman stressed that his action was not directed at the national leadership under David Mark, analysts believe the latest disagreement could complicate ongoing efforts to present a united opposition against the ruling APC.
As of the time of filing this report, Nasir El-Rufai had not publicly responded to Lukman’s allegations.
Similarly, the ADC national leadership has yet to issue an official statement on the suspension, leaving uncertainty over whether reconciliation efforts will be initiated or whether the disagreement could trigger further divisions within the coalition.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering pace, Lukman’s exit underscores the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition coalition as it seeks to maintain unity among leaders drawn from different political backgrounds. Whether the latest dispute is resolved or deepens existing divisions may shape the coalition’s readiness for the electoral contest ahead.