Lawyer and political figure Kenneth Okonkwo has declared the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the country’s only viable opposition party, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have effectively ceased to function as genuine opposition platforms.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo — a former spokesperson for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign under the LP — said the PDP and LP now only exist “on paper,” as many of their prominent leaders are either openly backing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or have aligned with the ADC.
“Strictly speaking, there is no longer any party like the PDP or LP. They’re just existing on paper. Whoever is in the PDP is either supporting the APC or the ADC. That’s what it is,” Okonkwo said.
Citing internal fractures within the PDP, he referenced former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, now a minister under the APC-led federal government, as a key example of the party’s collapse as a credible opposition force.
“If the leaders of the PDP have come out openly to say they are supporting the presidential candidate of another political party, that’s the end of the party,” he said.
“You were there when Wike, who is supposed to be a leader of the PDP, openly declared support for the presidential candidate of another party. He even said that anyone who goes against his position will face consequences in his state. In fairness to him, he’s made good on that.”
On the Labour Party, Okonkwo argued that the party lacks the organisational structure necessary to contest seriously in the 2027 general elections.
“The ADC is the only political party that is the opposition party,” he asserted.
When asked whether the ADC would adopt Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027, Okonkwo dismissed the idea of automatic endorsements, saying the party would conduct a democratic process.
“The ADC will hold a free, fair, and democratic presidential primary. Whoever emerges will be supported by the party to challenge President Tinubu in 2027. That’s how democracy works,” he said.
“The ADC is reaching out to every Nigerian, without preference for any individual. In 2027, it will be the people of Nigeria versus the APC — and the ADC is the platform for that alternative.”
On July 2, 2025, key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-ministers Rauf Aregbesola and Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, officially adopted the ADC as the platform for a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Both Atiku (formerly of the PDP) and Obi (formerly of the LP) are regarded as central players in this emerging alliance.
However, the ruling APC has dismissed the growing opposition alliance. On June 25, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a one-day state visit to Nasarawa State, described the coalition’s leaders as “politically displaced persons” attempting to stay relevant.
“Just don’t pay them any attention. They are the political IDPs. Don’t give them a home. The hope is here,” Tinubu said, referring to his administration’s agenda and support base.
As the race toward 2027 gains momentum, the ADC is positioning itself as the new face of opposition politics in Nigeria, seeking to unite disillusioned voters and political heavyweights under a single, credible banner.
