By Batos Nwadike
When I watched, read, followed, and listened to recent developments within the new African Democratic Congress (ADC), I couldn’t help but arrive at a rather piquant conclusion: the once-beleaguered People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may be quietly regrouping—this time, under a different cloak.
This notion is not far-fetched. The presence of political heavyweights such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi in the ADC since the departure of Ralph Nwosu marks a significant ideological and strategic shift. These men have brought with them a calm, calculating silence, strategic alacrity, political suaveness, and, most notably, a skillful infiltration of structures and individuals—a kind of “tentacling” that seasoned observers cannot ignore.
Let’s begin with David Mark. Since 1966, no military coup in Nigeria occurred without him playing some role—regardless of his rank at the time. In the democratic dispensation, he served with distinction, most notably as Senate President for eight years. He presided over the historic “Doctrine of Necessity” in 2010, a constitutional masterstroke that enabled Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume the presidency. David Mark is not a man to be taken lightly; his planning, plotting, and political deftness are legendary.
Then there’s Rauf Aregbesola—Yoruba nationalist, NADECO stalwart, and Afenifere chieftain. A long-time political activist and democrat, Aregbesola, alongside his Oranmiyan movement, transformed Osun politics and held sway as governor. He and Bola Tinubu were ideological allies once; their paths have since diverged, but his political influence remains potent.
One must also consider the strategic reactivation of forgotten political structures, the revitalization of old alliances, and quiet but steady outreach to politically dormant groups. These movements suggest a deliberate effort to recalibrate the 2027 political chessboard. If not checked, this silent infiltration could spell serious trouble for the ruling APC.
The APC, despite defections and high-profile governors in its ranks, should not rest easy. These recent defections lack the political gravity needed to secure 2027. The ground is shifting.
Rumors of former President Goodluck Jonathan warming up for a possible 2027 presidential run under the PDP banner are gaining traction. If this becomes reality, it could be a masterstroke—a calculated plan to erode whatever political mileage President Tinubu has amassed. A Jonathan–Peter Obi ticket, or even their separate aspirations, could suffocate Tinubu’s base in more ways than one. The ruling party must be cautious and begin to act decisively to dismantle the silent, potent traps being laid by veteran politicians.
This is not ordinary politics. This is veteran warfare. These men—Obasanjo, Mimiko, Jonathan, El-Rufai, Shekarau, Gemade, Amaechi, Fayemi, Fayose, Saraki, Melaye, Chime, Nwobodo, among others—are not political novices. Their return, whether under the PDP, ADC, or a new coalition, could resonate deeply with the electorate, especially with the message that the so-called apostles of change (the APC) are in need of a change themselves.
This is a clarion call to the APC: tread carefully. The coming years are already being shaped by quiet but powerful hands—many of whom have seen power, lost it, and now seek to reclaim it, with renewed hunger and precision.
Prof Batos Nwadike( Oyi of Igboland) is Chancellor of Leadership By Example League International( LELI) and writes from His Suite In Bohcynth Hotel New Owerri, Imo State.
