*A Coalition of Hope: Why the ADC Deserves Northern Nigeria’s Backing.*
By Sa’adu Sani
As Nigeria navigates one of its most challenging periods since the return to democracy, the formation of the African Development Congress (ADC) as a coalition platform for opposition politicians arrives not a moment too soon. For many Nigerians, particularly in the North, the past two years under President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been marked by escalating hardship, deepening insecurity, and a palpable sense of marginalisation. The ADC emerges as a beacon of hope, a necessary counterweight to a ruling party seemingly more engrossed in political manoeuvring than the urgent task of governance and national healing.
The Northern region bears a disproportionate burden of the current administration’s policy failures. The abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy, executed without adequate safety nets, sent shockwaves through an economy already on its knees. Inflation, now at historic highs, has rendered basic necessities – food, medicine, transportation – unaffordable for millions. This crisis strikes at the heart of Northern Nigeria, where poverty levels are already acute. The resultant hunger and desperation are tangible in markets and homes across the region.
Compounding this economic catastrophe is the relentless scourge of insecurity. Banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism continue to ravage Northern communities with terrifying impunity. Farmlands lie fallow as farmers fear abduction or worse, crippling the region’s agricultural backbone – a sector the Tinubu administration appears to have neglected, with an allocation of less than 2% each in 2024 and 2025 budgets, focusing instead on policies that inadvertently undermine local food production. This neglect is perceived not as an oversight but as part of a broader pattern of marginalisation, where the specific developmental needs and security concerns of the North are sidelined in national priorities.
Furthermore, the perception that the current government prioritises political calculus over tangible governance is widespread. The energy expended on intra-party squabbles and managing political fallout stands in stark contrast to the slow pace of addressing the existential crises facing ordinary Nigerians. This disconnect fuels disillusionment and a desperate yearning for credible alternatives.
It is within this context that the formation of the ADC coalition assumes critical importance. This is not merely another political grouping; it represents a convergence of seasoned leaders from across Nigeria’s diverse regions, united by a common purpose: to rescue the nation from its current trajectory. The coalition brings together figures with significant national stature and regional influence. Names like former senate president David Mark, the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside respected figures like former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, former attorney general and minister of justice Abubakar Malami, former governors and ministers Nasir el Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi and Rauf aregbesola and other prominent opposition voices from the South-South, South-East, and South-West, signal a broad-based, pan-Nigerian effort.
This deliberate inclusion of leaders from every geopolitical zone is crucial. It demonstrates a commitment to national unity and a rejection of the divisive politics that have often hindered progress. The presence of such significant Northern figures within the coalition leadership is particularly vital, ensuring that the specific challenges of the region – insecurity, economic revitalisation, agricultural support, and equitable resource allocation – will be central to the ADC’s agenda, not an afterthought.
The ADC coalition offers a genuine opportunity to break the cycle of disappointment. It presents a platform built on the collective experience and, arguably, the lessons learned from past oppositions. Its strength lies in its unity of purpose against a common challenge. For Northern Nigerians feeling the acute sting of failed policies, insecurity, and perceived marginalisation, the ADC represents more than just an alternative; it embodies the hope for a government that listens, that prioritises their security and livelihoods, and that governs for all Nigerians, not just a select few.
The road to 2027 is long, and the coalition must now translate its promise into a coherent policy platform and grassroots mobilisation. However, its formation is a decisive and welcome step. Northern Nigeria, bearing the brunt of the current administration’s shortcomings, should look closely at this coalition. Supporting and strengthening the ADC is not merely a political choice; it is an investment in the hope for a safer, more prosperous, and truly inclusive Nigeria where the North is not merely a voting bloc but an equal partner in national development. The time for a united front for change is now, and the ADC provides that crucial platform.
Sani wrote from Zango, Katsina State.
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