The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has firmly dismissed suggestions of favoring any particular presidential aspirant as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Senator David Mark, the interim national chairman, clarified in a statement that the party has not endorsed any candidate among prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, or Rotimi Amaechi. Mark emphasized, “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant but has set out to first put out a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to majority of Nigerians.”
He further called on all party members to unite, stating, “I don’t own this party more than any of our members and I urge all members to prepare to show Nigerians that ADC is a different party. All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC.”
This announcement follows accusations from Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who alleged that the interim leadership was showing preference for Atiku. Mark responded by assuring the public of transparency under his leadership.
Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, alleged that certain groups are conspiring to unseat the President, describing the administration as “the most focused and transformative in Nigeria’s history.” He cited a warning from the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, about the challenges of reform, quoting, “If anybody tells you it would be easy, don’t vote for him.”
A wave of defections from both the APC and PDP has swept into the ADC, with notable figures from Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Ondo joining the coalition. Sheriff Banki, a youth mobilizer, attributed these moves to “the failure of the APC under President Bola Tinubu and the compromised leadership of the PDP.” In Gombe, Abdullahi Ataka highlighted the “fresh energy, a sense of direction, and an openness” found in the ADC.
Auwal Barde, ADC state chairman in Gombe, described the coalition as “a timely alliance driven by the need to offer Nigerians a credible alternative,” while former minister Abdullahi Umar stressed the coalition’s focus on “tackling economic hardship and leadership failure.”
In Jigawa, the ADC dissolved its executive and inaugurated a new team led by Ahmed Gumel, aiming to “reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.” In Ondo, Prof. Bode Ayorinde and Kennedy Peretei noted the collapse of PDP structures into the ADC, with Ayorinde stating, “We started with 25 members at our first meeting, but now we are over 300.”
However, PDP leaders have denied reports of key defections, insisting their party remains strong in the Southwest and FCT. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), said, “I am yet to confirm the said exits of Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi.”
The Federal Government, through Minister Mohammed Idris, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to reforms, stating, “The Tinubu administration remains undeterred, focused, and committed to building a more prosperous Nigeria for all.”
The APC, for its part, accused the ADC of spreading falsehoods, with Felix Morka stating, “The ADC needs no help from our great party to unravel as it must from its own internal dissonance.”
Meanwhile, the ADC announced that 97 lawyers are prepared to defend the party’s interim leadership against a lawsuit challenging its legitimacy.
Okay.ng reports that these political developments signal a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with the ADC positioning itself as a formidable alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
