The ADC alliance is unraveling, according to Rotimi Fasan

In approximately six weeks, by the end of May, the various political parties aiming to unseat the governing APC-led administration will have selected their presidential candidates, marking the cutoff date for party primaries as specified by INEC.

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The field of presidential aspirants will be narrowed down, eliminating those who are not viable candidates, and the romantic notion of a united opposition is quickly dissipating, particularly with regards to the African Democratic Congress.

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The idea of a political contest between the ADC and the governing APC is becoming increasingly implausible, and the reality of the opposition's situation is setting in, revealing self-interest disguised as a principled defense of democracy.

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Ahead of the primaries, the leading aspirants of the ADC are taking their campaigns directly to the Nigerian people, with each candidate making their pitch and trying to gain support.

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The stakes are high, and time is limited, with each candidate trying to outdo the others, and the claim that they are working towards a common goal is no longer believable.

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In a span of one week, the three leading politicians of the ADC have made separate appearances at media houses, revealing a lot of behind-the-scenes activity that contradicts the public image of friendship and camaraderie.

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Peter Obi, who is considered the most vulnerable candidate, was the first to appear at a media house, speaking with Charles Aniagolu on Arise News, where he repeated general comments that lacked specifics and failed to address key issues.

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Obi's responses were criticized for being evasive and lacking in substance, and his refusal to provide clear answers was seen as a attempt to conceal his lack of ideas.

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About 24 hours after Obi's interview, Atiku Abubakar appeared on Arise News, where he expressed his disappointment with the state of the nation and blamed the president for the country's problems.

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Atiku also took a swipe at his co-travelers, highlighting their inadequacies and emphasizing his own experience and ability to garner votes, while also reiterating his plan to stand for the presidential election.

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Rotimi Amaechi appeared on Channels less than 24 hours after Atiku's interview, where he presented himself as the only pan-Nigeria candidate and confidently stated that he is the best person for the job.

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Amaechi also received a visit from Obi, accompanied by Senator Victor Umeh and former Governor Achike Udenwa, who attempted to persuade him to step down in favor of Obi, but Amaechi refused.

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The nature of the rivalry between these candidates reveals deep distrust and cements the foundation of their likely defeat, which they will inevitably reject, just as they did in 2023.

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Their alliance is a marriage of convenience aimed at ousting the incumbent, who is superior to them in many ways and is executing the neo-liberal policies they all committed to before the 2023 election.

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After Tinubu, Atiku is the next most ready to manage Nigeria's complex economic, political, and religious challenges, followed by Amaechi, who has a better political profile than Obi.

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Obi, who is considered a sentimental candidate, is ill-prepared for the office he seeks and is trying to get others to step down for him, which is an overreach, given his limited experience and abilities.

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Amaechi, on the other hand, has a more impressive political profile, having served as a two-time governor and two-time minister, and came second after Tinubu in the APC presidential primaries.

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What the ADC candidates should focus on is being better and more effective opposition politicians who can help correct Tinubu's mistakes in managing the economy and security, rather than trying to replace him.