With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, it was reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition was influencing the internal structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, was said to be struggling for political influence.
According to The Punch of August 8, 2025, unnamed insiders within the ADC alleged that Atiku had financed moves to take control of the party as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. A party source indicated that most of the ADC’s state chapters, zonal bodies, and even its national leadership were now largely aligned with Atiku.
The ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, however, rejected claims that Atiku had taken over the coalition, maintaining that the group remained united in its mission to unseat Tinubu and the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
In response, APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the coalition, arguing that it lacked the capacity to defeat the ruling party.
Key political figures within the ADC coalition — including Obi and former APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi — had openly expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election against Tinubu. Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, had also hinted at launching another bid for the presidency.
An ADC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation was not surprising, as Atiku Abubakar had funded most of the moves to take over the ADC.
He explained that, from the inception of the coalition, Atiku’s camp had been ahead in the game and had made a significant amount of dollars available to persuade some ADC members to step aside for the coalition leaders.
He said, “If Atiku is not contesting…but I believe he will, he will still determine whatever happens within the ADC coalition. So, while Obi, Amaechi, and others are part of the ADC, they appear to be working for Atiku, directly or indirectly.”
Further talking, he said, “Look at the Mark-led NWC, Obi only nominated the National Organising Secretary in the National Working Committee out of over 25 members of the NWC.
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