The African Democratic Congress (ADC) website has experienced three crashes within 48 hours due to an unprecedented surge in traffic from Nigerians seeking membership and information about the party.
This surge follows the announcement of a new opposition coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and other prominent political figures. The coalition, unveiled on July 3, has generated significant national interest, with many viewing the website crashes as a powerful indicator of the growing public demand for political change ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Demola Olarewaju, Special Assistant on Digital Media and Strategy to Atiku Abubakar, took to social media to announce the issues with the ADC’s website, highlighting the pressure on its digital infrastructure. “ADC website has crashed three times since the coalition was announced,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Nigerians have been waiting for an alternative to APC, and it is advertising itself already.”
This revelation garnered widespread support from opposition followers, who perceive this moment as a potential turning point in Nigeria’s political landscape. Political analyst Sani Kabo commented on the surge in website traffic, calling it “a reflection of the growing appetite for real political realignment” and likening it to the historic merger in 2013 that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ended the People’s Democratic Party’s 16-year dominance.
Another analyst, who preferred to remain anonymous, remarked, “This isn’t just a website crashing. It’s the sound of Nigerians knocking on the door of change. People want in. They want to participate.”
While supporters of both Atiku and Obi are energized by this momentum, coalition leaders have urged caution, emphasizing the importance of patience and strategic institution-building. In response to a query about Peter Obi’s role in the coalition, Olarewaju maintained a tone of unity, stating, “May your movement continue to grow also,” acknowledging Obi’s loyal supporters known as the Obidients.
This measured approach aims to prevent early factional disputes, which have historically hampered opposition efforts in Nigeria.
However, the repeated website crashes highlight a critical vulnerability for the ADC, now positioned at the center of a political storm. Observers suggest this incident should serve as a wake-up call for party leadership to invest in more robust digital infrastructure as it transitions from a minor party to a potential cornerstone of a national movement.
On social media, everyday Nigerians reflected on the moment, with one user, @ladybirdfatima, commenting, “If they can crash a website, maybe they can crash the system that failed them too.”
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