Those supporting this divisiveness among supporters of any of the aspirants should stop what they are doing because they are clearly working to the advantage of the APC and President Bola Tinubu.
The African Democratic Congress has cautioned supporters of its presidential aspirants against maintaining a rigid “must-be-my-candidate” mentality as the party prepares for the next presidential election in 2027, warning that such divisive disposition could jeopardize its party’s chances in the elections.
The ADC specifically pointed out that those supporting or promoting this hardline position of it ‘must-be-my-candidate’ were clearly working to the advantage of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, who made this known on Saturday while speaking during the virtual ADC Coalition Hours, urged supporters to strive for unity of the unity and back all aspirants collectively.
The Daily Crucible reports that a group of opposition politicians, including former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El – Rufai, ex – Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a host of others came together under the canopy of Coalition Movement on July 2025, and adopted the ADC as the political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and wrest power from him in the 2027 general election.
Former Transport Minister and ex – Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, joined the ADC in July 2025, followed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in November, and Peter Obi on December 31. The three have indicated their separate intentions to contest for the party’s presidential ticket.
However, more aspirants are expected to declare their presidential ambitions in the coming days and weeks, stirring up differing views among supporters of the declared ADC presidential hopefuls on zoning, with many Obi loyalists calling for the ticket to go to the South, while most Atiku supporters advocate an open contest.
Apparently worried about the development, the National Publicity Secretary noted that he had met with coalition stakeholders to emphasise the need for unity, focus and collective commitment to secure victory in the upcoming elections.
According to Abdullahi, “I spent time talking to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, who have indicated interest in vying for the presidential ticket of our party, as well as the likes of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to strengthen our party and unite it. The general consensus is that we have a job to do to make this country a better place.
“Our leaders are all aware of the task ahead, and every one of them is committed to ensuring that we win this election.”
Speaking on the timing of the 2027 election, Abdullahi said, “Whether the elections take place this year or next year, it will be double work for us and could also work against us. It will work against us because, as an opposition, we need time to heal wounds after our primaries, as we cannot afford to go into bruised primaries and then quickly put ourselves together for the elections. On that note, we prefer next year.
“On the other hand, holding an election now has the advantage that people are already tired of this administration. But in all of this, we are not in a position to decide when the election will hold.”
He added, “Those supporting this divisiveness among supporters of any of the aspirants should stop what they are doing because they are clearly working to the advantage of the APC and President Bola Tinubu.
“Saying it is either this candidate or nothing is not helpful because getting the ticket alone means nothing. What is important is winning the election, and we cannot carry this divisiveness and expect to win.”
Abdullahi said the party would begin efforts to reinforce cohesion and encourage ADC leaders to promote unity among themselves.
He continued, “We believe that all our aspirants are eminently qualified, and vilifying anybody or any region is not helpful and will only make things more difficult. We are going to commence the process of strengthening unity and having our leaders speak with one voice.
“We are going to ignore people creating a sense of exceptionality and focus on what we are doing because we want to win this election.
“Those shouting ‘Peter Obi or nothing’ are equally not helping him. They are preaching division, and they are not selling him. They are not providing room for people from other places to support him. They should stop making others take hard stances because everyone needs to be on board for us to win this election.”
– Punch.
