- He also described the ADC as one of the fastest-growing political parties in Nigeria’s recent history
- Addressing suggestions that the ADC is merely an extension of Atiku’s political machinery, Abdullahi rejected the claim outright
- According to him, the presence of multiple high-profile aspirants within the party clearly shows that no individual controls its direction
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pushed back against claims that it is positioning its presidential ticket for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the party remains open and owned by its members, not any individual.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed speculations of an automatic ticket for Atiku, stressing that such narratives do not reflect the reality within the party.
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Abdullahi’s comments come amid growing internal and public debate over whether the ADC should zone its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. Some state chairmen have reportedly urged the party leadership to abandon zoning altogether and allow a transparent primary process to determine its flagbearer.
The ADC recently emerged as the platform for a coalition of influential political figures seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Since the coalition’s unveiling in July 2025, the party has moved to rebuild its structures nationwide under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Several heavyweight politicians have since pitched their tents with the party, many of them with clear presidential ambitions. They include former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and, more recently, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. More aspirants are also expected to join the race in the coming weeks.
Addressing suggestions that the ADC is merely an extension of Atiku’s political machinery, Abdullahi rejected the claim outright, saying it is a misconception largely driven by outsiders.
According to him, the presence of multiple high-profile aspirants within the party clearly shows that no individual controls its direction. He noted that figures like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi would not have joined a party that was already captured by one person.
The ADC spokesperson further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of deliberately pushing the narrative to undermine the opposition party’s momentum. He said the APC was attempting to distract and discredit the ADC as it gains ground across the country.
Abdullahi maintained that the party’s ticket would be decided through due process, adding that whoever emerges as the candidate, whether Atiku or any other aspirant, would do so through a competitive and transparent process.
He also described the ADC as one of the fastest-growing political parties in Nigeria’s recent history, arguing that its rapid expansion reflects growing public interest in an alternative to the ruling party.
According to him, the unfolding political realignments ahead of 2027 have made it increasingly clear that the ADC represents a serious platform capable of challenging the APC at the polls.
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