By Henry Obetta

Groups within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the ADC Reformers and ADC Movement, on Saturday, warned principal stakeholders in the ADC especially, Mr Peter Obi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso of threats to divide and weaken the ADC coalition.

The groups, in a communique on Saturday, noted that they had observed patterns of coordinated activities aimed at weakening cohesion within the coalition space.

The communique was signed by Coordinator Research/Communique Team, Pastor Kayode Jacobs;
Alhaji Muhammed Emiabata, Adewunmi Benjamin, Taiwo Okulaja, and Dr Dayo Kayode.

They stated that the timing, consistency and nature of the segregationist campaign suggested a “deliberate effort by the ruling party to fragment the new national coalition that has already gained public traction.”

The groups said: “Let it be known that, it was by same divisive strategy that the APC triumphed upon in the 2023 elections and it is determined not to change the winning formular.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi and others must by now understand the political arithmetic of the ruling party. Any one of them that concedes to the induced pressure to contest outside the ADC coalition may simply have betrayed a cause to take Nigerians away from hopelessness.”

The group warned leaders, stakeholders and supporters to treat narratives, movements or pressure that seeks to divide rather than unite the coalition with caution.

“Let it be clearly understood, the greatest threat to any credible opposition is not external strength, but internal division. If these patterns are not recognized and resisted, the consequences are predictable:
“The coalition will fracture and lose consolidation; Public confidence will erode; and the people will see us as unserious to wrestle power; Individual ambitions will override collective purpose and; The opportunity for meaningful political change will be significantly weakened or prematurely aborted”, they stated
The group stressed that the ADC has a responsibility that is not just political but also national noting that stakes are too high for missteps caused by emotions, ego, induced popularity, or manipulations.

“To fall into division now is to concede advantage to APC before the contest even begins.

“To now move into another Party by any of the major tendency is to freely fall into a decorated trap of frustrations and defeat”, they added.