The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has criticised the newly formed coalition of political heavyweights under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as little more than an elite bargaining table orchestrated by displaced power brokers desperate to regain relevance ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to the group, the coalition—which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and former Senate President David Mark—is a gathering of politicians responsible for Nigeria’s prolonged political and economic stagnation.
The forum’s National President, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, stated on Friday that the coalition is not a movement but a gathering of political veterans who have collectively overseen the country’s decline since 1999.
He accused many members of the coalition of having deep-rooted ties to corruption, noting that several individuals have repeatedly appeared in graft investigations and high-profile probes.
He said: “The same people who sat and formed a coalition under ADC are the ones who ruined Nigeria from 1999 till date. Some of them were even active players in legitimising military regimes. They are not the change Nigeria needs,” the statement read.
“These are people whose names have consistently featured in corruption allegations, many of whom have been frequent visitors to anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. Nigerians must ask: Who among them can boldly claim not to have looted the national treasury? Their past records are clear. This so-called coalition should be seen for what it is, an elite bargaining table, not a people-oriented movement,” it added.
According to the group, the ADC-led alliance lacks ideological clarity, integrity, and the vision necessary to reposition Nigeria.
Filani argued that rather than serving as a platform for national rebirth, the coalition is a strategic retreat by displaced power brokers desperate to regain lost influence.
While describing the forum as the umbrella organisation of Nigerian youth working in partnership with civil society organisations, student unions, and ethnic nationality groups, he announced plans for the organisation to unveil a new political platform in September.
Filani also revealed that the youth-led coalition would be officially launched in Kaduna by mid-September through a national assembly comprising visionary young leaders and progressive stakeholders from across the six geopolitical zones.
“We have been on the ground, building bridges and mobilising a robust national platform that reflects the true aspirations of Nigerians. This is not a coalition of recycled politicians. This is a coalition of purpose; a principled, purposeful, people-oriented coalition driven by values and not personal ambition. We won’t be naming it yet, but Nigerians should watch out,” the group declared.
He stated that party documentation has already been submitted to the relevant authorities.
According to him, unlike the elitist ADC arrangement, the proposed movement would be based on values of transparency, justice, and national renewal, while intentionally excluding individuals whose political records are characterised by self-interest and systemic failure.
“We reject the ADC coalition and everything it stands for. It is not the answer to Nigeria’s search for national rebirth. We urge Nigerians to disregard it. The real coalition is coming, and it is founded on truth, transparency, prosperity, and generational renewal.
“Our generation will not be given to excuses because we are responsible. We will firstly unite Nigeria from the North to the South and the East to the West. Only when we are united can genuine prosperity come,” he declared.
