The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the recent adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by a coalition of opposition leaders as “a welcome development,” stressing the need for a vibrant opposition to prevent Nigeria from drifting into a one-party state.
Speaking with journalists after casting his ballot in the Lagos local government elections in Surulere on Saturday, Gbajabiamila remarked on the coalition’s emergence as a healthy sign for democracy.
“It’s a welcome development with the coalition. It’s not the first time we’re seeing this. It’s a welcome development. In every democracy, we must have some level of opposition otherwise we’ll run into a one-party state. But I’m not sure where it would go,” he stated.
The former Speaker’s comments follow the adoption of the ADC by major opposition politicians as the platform for the 2027 general elections.
At the event, former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, formally handed over the party’s leadership to former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, who were introduced as interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
Opposition figures who attended the event include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, among others.