The Arewa Empowerment Coalition (AEC) has openly condemned the formation of the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA), reportedly spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar alongside other prominent political figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, June 24, and signed by AEC president Sulaiman Yusuf Sani, the coalition denounced the initiative as a politically misguided venture, describing it as an opportunistic alliance orchestrated by what it termed “disgruntled power seekers.” According to the group, the ADA is a shallow attempt to manipulate the democratic process to serve personal ambitions rather than the public interest.
“We view this coalition as a poorly calculated decision that reflects a profound misunderstanding of the current political landscape and the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” Sani stated in the release.
The coalition expressed doubts over the coalition’s ability to gain meaningful grassroots support or inspire confidence among ordinary Nigerians. It described Atiku’s latest move as part of a recurring pattern of “political miscalculations” that have consistently undermined his efforts to assume national leadership.
Sani argued that the Nigerian electorate is no longer as passive or easily manipulated as in the past, adding that citizens now demand leadership grounded in authenticity, integrity, and public service, not self-serving coalitions. “The political arena in Nigeria is not merely a chessboard for the ambitions of a few,” he said. “Nigerians are now more politically aware and demand authentic leadership rather than opportunistic alliances.”
The AEC also criticized the inclusion of figures like El-Rufai, Amaechi, and Lawal in the proposed alliance. The coalition claimed that these politicians, given their controversial political histories and decisions, further undermine the credibility of the ADA. “Their inclusion only serves to alienate the very citizens they claim to represent,” Sani said.
According to the AEC president, the ADA is seen as a reactionary political move intended to maintain relevance rather than offer any substantive national vision. He described the alliance as an effort to “cling to power through alliances that lack genuine substance.”
Sani also warned that such political strategies could have divisive consequences. He cautioned that, when politicians prioritize their survival over the collective good, the outcome is often increased political disillusionment and social division. “When political leaders prioritise their interests over the needs of their constituents, they risk sowing discord and disillusionment,” he noted.
The coalition further called on Nigerians to reject political coalitions and realignments that do not emerge from genuine dialogue with the people or reflect their daily struggles and aspirations. Sani advised political actors to abandon “recycled strategies and recycled faces” and instead engage meaningfully with the public they seek to govern.
“The Arewa Empowerment Coalition categorically rejects the proposed All Democratic Alliance as a misguided and poorly conceived initiative that fails to resonate with the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” the statement concluded.
As of now, there has been no official response from Atiku Abubakar or his political associates regarding the criticisms raised by the AEC. The proposal for the new alliance has already stirred significant debate in Nigeria’s political landscape, with observers noting that its success will largely depend on whether it can earn the trust of a public increasingly skeptical of elite-driven political arrangements.
