Aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in collaboration with the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), are set to hold a national press conference in Abuja on Friday, May 8, 2026.
The high-level gathering, scheduled for 10:00am at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Building, Abuja, will centre on the theme: “Rescue Nigeria: Consolidating Hope, Building a New Beginning.”
The conference is expected to bring together party aspirants, political stakeholders, youth leaders, civil society actors, and members of the media to discuss the future of Nigeria and the role of the NDC in shaping a new political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers say the development further highlights one of the strategic values COPDEM brings to the table as a Political Action Group (PAG), particularly in political mobilisation, grassroots coordination and civic engagements.
It would be recalled that COPDEM took its first major political step into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in October 2024 and subsequently signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the party on January 31, 2025.
During its active engagements within the ADC, COPDEM reportedly held the Directorate of Mobilisation, Civil Societies and Progressive Engagements, leading massive grassroots membership drives and political mobilisation efforts across the country. Analysts believe those engagements significantly contributed to the national attention and coalition interests that later emerged around the ADC.
With the current movement of COPDEM into the NDC, political watchers say the party is positioned to benefit from the group’s extensive grassroots structures, mobilisation strength and selfless organisational contributions built over the years.
COPDEM has also remained vocal about its preferred presidential direction, a position that largely informed its earlier alliance with the ADC, where it mobilised extensively in support of Peter Obi as presidential candidate.
Analysts further note that COPDEM has undoubtedly established itself as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s opposition movement through impactful grassroots engagements aimed at promoting credible candidates, deepening democratic participation and advancing the cause of good governance across the country.
Observers believe the latest political realignment may further reshape opposition dynamics as consultations and coalition-building efforts intensify ahead of the next general elections.
