National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi has said presidential aspirants of the party are free to express their opinions but only the party can decide who emerges candidate.
He was speaking against the background of the flurry of reactions that trailed the comments by former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who is a leading contender for the party’s ticket that the current bid would be his last.
The comment has been interpreted to mean that Atiku would contest the primary with other presidential hopefuls like Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Abdullahi said the party is supreme and has the final say on how its presidential candidate will emerge.
Supporters of presidential hopefuls on the platform of the ADC, have already started quarreling over who should fly the flag of the party in 2027.
One of the party leaders, Dele Momodu, had said Atiku/Obi ticket will be the best for the party and Nigeria.
Also speaking on television, the coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, insisted that zoning the ticket to the South remains the only pathway to winning the election against the APC.
He said the reception in honour of Obi and Kwankwaso by delegates at Tuesday’s national convention shows their preference to lead the party to the polls.
“When he (Obi) came to my state in Kano, you could see the synergy between him and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The reception was overwhelming; we barely managed the mammoth crowd. It was shouts of Obi/Kwankwaso! Obi/Kwankwaso!”he stated.
Reacting to the development, Malam Abdullahi told Daily Trust that, “Supporters are only expressing their preference, which is normal. They cannot decide for the party. They are only expressing their own opinion and desire that is all they are doing.”