ABUJA: A fresh ADC war erupts inside the African Democratic Congress as top 2027 presidential hopefuls turn on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over claims of northern dominance.
The backlash began after Atiku’s recent interview, where he dismissed other northern contenders. He insisted none matched his electoral strength and singled out Rabiu Kwankwaso, claiming his influence is limited to Kano State, “and even there, now split between him and the current Governor.”
Supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso quickly rejected Atiku’s claim that he commands the largest voting bloc in the North. The Kwankwasiyya Movement, pushing for an Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, argued Atiku’s past strength was “largely propped up by elite backing, not genuine grassroots loyalty.”
Yunusa, a Kwankwasiyya figure, told reporters: “You’ve never seen him (Obi) owning a debt. Neither have you seen him segregating. In all of that, he still mingles with his colleagues to fight for the soul of the country.” He added that when Obi visited Kano, “It was shouts of Obi/Kwankwaso! Obi/Kwankwaso! The signage and the chorus showed a major shift from what it was in 2023 and 2026 towards 2027. I was elated.”
Yunusa dismissed an Atiku/Obi ticket: “It’s a Southern presidency. To make it easier for the party to win, zone it to the South and give the candidacy to the region, and you are assured of victory. Anything short of that will only lead to defeat.” He argued that “If those two are paired, Peter Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as running mate, the election would effectively be decided early.”
Amaechi, Fani-Kayode, Abati Join ADC War Erupts Fallout
Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi also questioned Atiku’s logic during a television appearance. He said if Atiku’s main qualification is being from the North, then voters should simply divide along regional lines, an idea he finds flawed.
Atiku’s remarks about former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he described as “inexperienced”, sparked further outrage. Reuben Abati slammed the comment as condescending and disrespectful, noting that Jonathan had already achieved what Atiku is still striving for.
Femi Fani-Kayode accused Atiku of arrogance and historical revisionism, defending Jonathan’s record and questioning Atiku’s moral standing to make such claims.
Despite the row, Atiku later visited Kwankwaso’s Abuja residence. Observers believe the meeting may have been an attempt to smooth things over following the fallout.
In a separate interview with Arise News, Atiku addressed the ticket directly. Asked if he would step aside if Obi wins the ADC presidential primary, he said: “Yes, I will step aside for any winner.” Pressed if that includes Peter Obi, Atiku replied: “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?”
Internal ADC War Erupts Over Convention Legitimacy
As the ADC war erupts over candidates, internal tensions are also deepening. A faction led by Nafiu Bala and supported by lawmaker Leke Abejide rejected the legitimacy of a recent party convention organised by another bloc.
They described it as “illegal, unconstitutional, and a direct violation of existing court orders.”_ Abejide called the event a “suya convention, ”accusing some coalition figures of hopping between parties purely for political survival. He warned that unless the party resolves its crisis quickly, it may struggle to field candidates in 2027.
The crisis worsened after the Independent National Electoral Commission withdrew recognition of the ADC’s leadership. INEC removed the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and national secretary. INEC said it would “suspend recognition of all factions until the leadership dispute is settled in court.”
The David Mark-led faction still plans its national convention for April 14, 2026. Key figures Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, and Amaechi were named to the 126-member Convention Planning Committee. Former Cross River governor Liyel Imoke chairs the committee, with Aminu Tambuwal as deputy.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party clarified that it is not part of the ADC coalition. NNPP National Secretary Ogini Olaposi said, “We are so surprised that Abubakar, a frontline presidential aspirant of the ADC, could make such an assertion that NNPP is now in ADC.” He stressed that “Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya movement are members of the coalition group, and there is verifiable evidence that some members of the group followed Kwankwaso to the new party.”
Why This ADC War Erupts Matters For 2027
The ADC was building a “coalition” brand with Atiku and Obi’s names. But the court case and INEC freeze could stop ADC from contesting 2027 unless settled before the May 2026 deadline. Other parties like PDP, LP, NNPP, and SDP remain on the ballot.
President Bola Tinubu has already dared the ADC coalition. He said, “They want to scare me off. It is a lie. I’ve been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing.”
As the battle for control intensifies, the race for the ADC ticket is no longer just a contest of popularity. It is a full-blown power struggle threatening to tear the party apart.
