ADC Holds Firm on 2027 Presidential Ticket Zoning
As Nigeria inches closer to the hotly anticipated 2027 presidential election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is charting its own course, firmly resisting calls for a premature decision on the zoning of its coveted presidential ticket. The party has declared it will not be "blackmailed" into an early announcement, preferring instead to engage in strategic, internal conversations before making its move.
This calculated stance by the ADC contrasts sharply with other major political players. Just recently, the Labour Party (LP) strategically zoned its ticket to Nigeria’s southern region, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has effectively adopted incumbent President Bola Tinubu, also from the South, as its consensus candidate. However, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed that while zoning remains "on the table," the specific details of ongoing discussions are not yet ready for public disclosure.
'Not a Vehicle for Atiku': ADC Rejects Speculation
Amidst fervent political discourse, the ADC, recently embraced by a burgeoning opposition coalition, has been plagued by persistent allegations that it serves as a mere "vehicle" for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential aspirations. Abdullahi, however, has vehemently refuted these claims, asserting the party's unwavering impartiality.
During a spirited interview on Channels Television’s "Politics Today," Abdullahi addressed the allegations head-on. "No. Whoever says that doesn’t know what is happening in the ADC," he declared. He further emphasized the party's broad appeal, stating, "Definitely not. People will believe what they want, but I am telling you this has absolutely nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar any more than it has to do with Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, or anyone else who might want to contest on our platform."
Abdullahi underscored the ADC's commitment to an open and level playing field for all potential aspirants in the 2027 polls, reiterating that the party harbours no preferential candidate and remains accessible to anyone seeking its platform.
Accusations of 'Suffocation' and Call for Opposition Unity
In a pointed critique of the current political landscape, Abdullahi accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of actively "suffocating" the nation’s opposition, referencing a recent wave of defections to the ruling APC.
"We believe that Nigeria is facing an unprecedented existential challenge. It is critical for all opposition forces to come together," Abdullahi passionately argued. He stressed that the fragmentation of opposition ranks only serves to consolidate the status quo, effectively hindering democratic progress and entrenching existing power structures.
The ADC spokesman extended an open invitation to all political actors who share the conviction that protecting democracy is a national duty. "For those who share our conviction that we have a duty to protect democracy, you are welcome to join our ranks," he concluded, signaling the party’s readiness to build a formidable front against existing challenges and foster a more robust democratic environment.