ADC state chairmen urged the party leadership to abandon zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket. The chairmen warned that zoning would weaken the party’s electoral chances and its role as an opposition coalition platform. Party leaders insisted that competence, credibility and electability guided the choice of a presidential candidate.

State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have urged the party’s National Working Committee to abandon zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket. The party’s bigwigs however advised that for an open, transparent and credible primary election.

The chairmen warned that zoning would weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general election and undermine its growing role as a coalition platform for opposition forces seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu. They insisted that competence, credibility and electability, rather than geopolitical considerations, should determine who emerges as the party’s flagbearer, Punch reported.

Speaking on behalf of the state chairmen, the Chairman of the ADC Chairmen Forum and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, said zoning would amount to self-sabotage for a party positioning itself as a national alternative.

“As a stakeholder, my opinion is simple: the process should be open to everyone. There should be no zoning. Whoever emerges through a free and fair contest should take the ticket,” Ogga said.

He added:

“Zoning is a way of defeating yourself because it narrows your ambition to one section of the country and excludes other capable Nigerians. Our goal is to field the best candidate who can defeat President Tinubu and rescue Nigeria.”

He added that a transparent process would help preserve unity within the party.

“Elections will always produce winners and losers, but the process must be credible so that the outcome is accepted by all. Whoever wins should enjoy the full support of party members,” he said.

The Secretary of the ADC Chairmen Forum and Edo state Chairman, Kennedy Odion, also argued that zoning restricts the pool of qualified candidates and risks sacrificing national interest for sectional considerations.

“Zoning does not represent competence. If a party restricts its presidential ticket to a particular zone, it limits the range of capable candidates and could compromise development and progress.

“The ADC is being looked upon as a rescue platform for Nigeria. If we get it wrong, it may take a long time before such an opportunity comes again,” Odion said.

He stressed the need for primaries that Nigerians can trust.

“We need a candidate with the confidence of the people. Zoning prioritises sectional interest over national interest. The contest should be open so that the most competent candidate can emerge,” Odion added.

Zoning could weaken party’s chances, Adamawa chairman warn

The Adamawa state Chairman of the ADC, Arabi Mustapha, also warned that zoning could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

“The contest should be open to all qualified Nigerians, regardless of geopolitical zone. Whoever wins through a free, fair and credible process should be supported by everyone,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha added:

“Zoning sends the wrong signal that we have already limited our options. It will do more harm than good and undermine national unity.”

The call by the state chairmen comes amid rising internal debate within the ADC following the influx of high-profile politicians with presidential ambitions, Vanguard reported.

In July 2025, the ADC emerged as the coalition platform adopted by opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Since then, the party, under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, has intensified efforts to strengthen its national structures.

Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, as reported by Vanguard.

The defection, which has sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape, was formally announced on Thursday at the National Assembly, where Abubakar, popularly known as “Abba,” was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), alongside APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone.

Speaking at the event, Abba announced his resignation from the PDP and declared his full alignment with the APC, describing the decision as both personal and historic. He also directed all coordinators and members of his political structure, formerly known as the Haske Atiku Organisation founded in 2022, to immediately join the APC and support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC,” he said.

He attributed his decision to what he described as the outstanding leadership style of Senator Barau Jibrin and the performance of the Tinubu administration.

“With this development, I will work with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. To this effect, I am directing all coordinators of my association to join the APC and work for President Tinubu,” he added.

Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, noting that it reflected “politics without borders.”

“Today is one of my happiest days. This young man has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and decided to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring Abba of equal rights and opportunities within the APC.

Senator Barau congratulated Abba on what party leaders described as a major boost to the APC’s consolidation drive ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the move as bold, wise and principled.

“You have taken a decision based on ideology. You did not come here because of your father. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.

He disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by the administration’s reforms and outreach efforts, which influenced his decision to return to Nigeria and join the APC.

A presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support, saying, “Just like Atiku, Tinubu is also your father. Your decision is like returning home. You and your coordinators have a future in this party.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Kano State Coordinator of the organisation, Hon. Mubarak Musa, described the defection as strategic, stressing that their political activities would now be coordinated through Senator Barau.

“We have worked round the clock for our former platform. We will double our efforts and deliver for the APC in 2027,” Musa said, describing Senator Barau as their political leader and a pillar of the party in the North.

At the event, Abba’s political organisation, Haske Atiku, was officially renamed the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete realignment of its structure and mission ahead of the 2027 elections.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Dele Momodu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can be voted out of office in the 2027 general election.

The politician noted that this can only come to fruition if the opposition effectively manages its internal affairs and presents a united front.

Momodu made the assertion while speaking on the growing strength of the ADC, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not invincible.

“President Tinubu is removable.There is nothing impossible in politics if the opposition organises itself properly and the electoral process is well managed,” Momodu said.

Momodu explained that the ADC parades several prominent political figures capable of mounting a serious challenge against President Tinubu and the APC in the next presidential election.

According to him, the party’s ranks include former Governor of Sokoto State and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai; and former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Channels Television reported.

“We have a lot of people, a rich and robust line-up in the ADC. For me, it is not about one man alone,” Momodu said.

The ADC chieftain further argued that the party is strategically positioned because it already has two of the top three contenders from the last presidential election within its fold.

“Of course, Mr Peter Obi, who INEC recorded as coming third, may be controversial, while Atiku Abubakar came second. Out of the top three candidates in the last election, the ADC already parades two,” he said.

He noted that this development places the party at a significant advantage if it can effectively coordinate its structure and strategy ahead of 2027, Vanguard reported.

“That should tell us that if we manage our affairs very well, we will already have overwhelming votes to torpedo the APC,” Momodu added.

Momodu maintained that the opposition has gathered enough momentum to confront the APC across the country, including in its traditional strongholds.

According to him, defeating the ruling party is not beyond reach, provided political actors put aside personal interests and work collectively.

“This is not an impossibility,” he said.

He stressed that discipline and cohesion within the opposition would be decisive factors.

The media entrepreneur also pointed to global democratic practices, arguing that credible elections remain central to political change.

“Globally, once the electoral process is properly managed in a professional and transparent manner, elections tend to run smoothly,” Momodu said.

He added that a transparent electoral system, combined with a united opposition, would give Nigerians a genuine opportunity to decide their leadership in 2027.