The National Conscience Party (NCP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have formed an alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring their readiness to challenge the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Both opposition parties criticised the Federal Government, citing worsening economic hardship, rising poverty and growing insecurity.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, the NCP Lagos State Chairman, Chief Fatai Ibu-Owo, who was joined by the ADC National Secretary and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as well as party officials and civil society representatives, said Nigeria had experienced significant economic decline since 2023, with inflation, unemployment and poverty deepening.
‘We stand here today not as politicians seeking applause, but as Nigerians whose heart is bleeding.
‘We rise with an unyielding resolve to declare our unequivocal opposition to the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress regime, staying true to our tradition of resisting oppression and speaking the truth, even when standing alone’, he said.
Presenting data at the event, the groups, as reported by Tribune, said, ‘Despite headline GDP growth rates of 2.86% (2023), 3.2% (2024), and 3.13% (Q1 2025), these figures fail to outpace population growth or inflation — meaning most Nigerians are poorer in real terms.
‘The abrupt removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023 unleashed unprecedented suffering. Petrol prices rose from ₦238 per litre in May 2023 to over ₦1,030 in 2024, and ₦1,239 by April 2025 — a 428% increase in just 17 months.
‘This policy crippled transportation, agriculture and manufacturing. Inflation surged from 22.41% in May 2023 to 34.8% in December 2024, easing slightly to 22.22% by June 2025, yet food inflation remains above 40% in many regions’.
The coalition also decried what it described as a deterioration in security and governance, citing increased kidnappings, rural banditry and alleged abuses of civil liberties, including the reported abduction of journalist Segun Olatunji in March 2025.
‘The APC’s policies have failed to deliver progress, worsened inequality and deepened poverty. We must reject this trajectory and reclaim our destiny.
‘Insecurity continues unchecked: between May 2023 and April 2024, over 614,000 lives were lost to violence. Bandits, insurgents and kidnappers terrorise Nigerians while government officials spend lavishly on security votes’, the statement added.
According to Ibu-Owo, rural poverty has risen above 75 per cent, while the cost-of-living crisis is pushing more families into extreme deprivation.
He criticised the removal of fuel subsidies, arguing that the resulting inflation had harmed small businesses, farmers and low-income households.
‘Beyond economic issues, the APC-led government undermines democratic institutions and stifles dissent’, he added, calling for increased civic mobilisation, public engagement and support for independent media.
At its 11 September meeting, the NCP Lagos State Coordinating Council formally endorsed the formation of an electoral coalition with the ADC to contest the 2027 elections. The groups said they were confident that voters, particularly in Lagos, were ready for an alternative political direction.
Ibu-Owo urged Nigerians to participate actively in political processes and community organising, saying collective effort was necessary to steer the country towards national renewal.
‘To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we say: begin preparing your handover notes. The ADC–NCP alliance will democratically reclaim power in 2027. Lagosians have rejected the APC and its candidates — Seyi Tinubu, Ambode, Gbajabiamila, and others should take heed’, he said.
NCP was founded in 1994 as a nationalist political party by the late rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, while ADC was founded in 2005.
Earlier, ADC formed a coalition platform on 2 July to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, with a few opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, David Mark, and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, having switched parties to join it.
