• Says coalition has no Similarities with APC’s 2013 merger

 

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has dismissed comparisons between the new opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the 2013 merger that formed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He characterised the ADC’s move as a “desperate and self-serving power grab.”

In a statement shared on his verified X account @SundayDareSD, the presidential aide asserted that the coalition, promoted by several opposition politicians as a means to regain national power, lacks foundation in principle or justice and is instead “purely opportunistic.”

“Heads up for Nigerians about ADC — There is no injustice to redress—only avaricious ambition to satisfy,” Dare stated bluntly, asserting that, unlike the APC’s emergence in 2013, the current coalition is not driven by national interest.

According to him, the new opposition alliance is being led by “a serial election loser, clutching at what he sees as his last shot at the presidency.”

He pointed out that the coalition’s main advocate does not have the support of crucial political groups, including his own state governor and region, and lacks a solid political infrastructure to rely upon.

“Unlike Tinubu, he enters the coalition alone, without the backing of his state governor, his region, or any meaningful political structure. His ambition is personal, not patriotic. So also that of his many co-travellers,” Dare wrote.

Drawing a clear distinction from the APC’s formation, the presidential media aide reflected on how the 2013 merger was driven by strategic discipline and shared sacrifice. He highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pivotal leadership, noting his commitment to national interest over personal gain.

“In 2013, the merger that birthed the APC was driven by selflessness, national interest, and strategic discipline. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite commanding the loyalty of several sitting governors, chose to wait. He bided his time, played the long game, and focused on building a viable political platform,” he said.

He also cited the unifying role of then-General Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as “a man regarded as a symbol of integrity” and a rallying figure with widespread grassroots support—qualities he says the current coalition significantly lacks.

“No one in this coalition commands that kind of loyalty or trust. Not one of them could genuinely unite a ward, let alone a country,” he argued.

Dare highlighted that the APC merger was driven by legitimate concerns, such as the constitutional denial of power to a marginalised region and a unified desire to end what was widely seen as 16 years of misgovernance under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“The APC coalition emerged to address real grievances: the constitutional denial of power to a region that had been unfairly sidelined and to end the 16 years of ruinous governance by the PDP. It was a coalition grounded in justice and balance,” Dare asserted.

In contrast, he said, the current attempt lacks any ideological or national cause, especially as the presidency is already zoned to a region that, in his words, is “rightfully due.”

“This new coalition? It’s purely opportunistic. The presidency already rests with the region rightfully due. And that’s where it will be till 2031,” he declared.

The opposition contends that the country needs a credible alternative, but Sunday Dare asserts that the distinction between 2013 and now is as clear as day.

“Let’s be clear: this is not 2013—and this is not the APC,” he concluded.