Peter Obi, a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has signaled his plan to seek the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He revealed this ambition while addressing supporters at a campaign event for the ADC candidates in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections, which took place at the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.

In his remarks, Obi made it clear that he is aiming for the top position and would not settle for a subordinate role in the party’s long-term political strategy.

He stressed that the AMAC election is closely tied to his wider political aspirations and called on party faithful and local residents to throw their weight behind the ADC candidate.

According to Obi, success in the AMAC poll would play a crucial role in advancing his political mission, adding that his involvement in the coming elections is as a leading contender and not in a supporting capacity.

“This coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you,” Obi said.

Obi’s supporters, particularly members of the Obidient Movement, have intensified pressure on the ADC leadership to adopt him as the party’s standard-bearer for 2027, with many insisting that the ticket should go to Obi alone.

However, the ADC is hosting several other high-profile politicians with presidential ambitions, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

APC national chairman has played down the growing speculations surrounding the 2027 vice-presidential ticket of the party. Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed rumours about replacing Senator Kashim Shettima as vice-presidential candidate. Concerns rose over the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy linked to the 2023 presidential election and the 2027 strategy.

CT, Abuja – Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not discussing the 2027 vice-presidential ticket, calling all speculation in the media premature.

Yilwada spoke on Sunday, January 1, on Trust TV, monitored by Dailyvoice.ng.

According to the APC leader, many stories in the press are purely speculative, untrue, and baseless.

He said:

“Candidates belong to the political party and not to individuals. Even the president, when he becomes a candidate, he is the candidate of the party. So, the only person that can make a statement on whether there will be a vice president or not is the party. So, every other person that has made a statement is just rumour mills.” 

The X interview can be watched below:

APC Chairman, Prof. Nentawa, Speaks on Kassim Shettima’s Place as Vice President in the 2027 Election

Watch more : https://t.co/v9vvgvr6Em pic.twitter.com/aMwYY7MjTd

— Trust TV News (@trusttv_news) February 2, 2026

This clarification comes amid heightened public interest and speculation over the APC’s strategy for the 2027 elections. Dailyvoice.ng reports that in recent weeks, several media outlets and social media platforms have circulated reports suggesting potential changes to the party’s ticket, including the replacement of Shettima.

Among those mentioned in the media are the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, from Kaduna State, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, from Bauchi State, both Christians.

There were also speculations at some point that the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, from Kano in the North-west, could replace Shettima.

The APC denial came a day after Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture and creative economy, warned of the consequences of replacing Shettima, noting that the party might lose the 2027 elections. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Shettima as running mate in the 2023 presidential election generated controversy, with many condemning the Muslim-Muslim ticket and demanding the choice of a northern Christian. The duo are Muslims.

Legit.ng earlier reported that a chieftain of the APC in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state, Ichie Ferdinand Iloduba, advised the party against the alleged planned decision to replace Vice President Shettima with a Northern Christian ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is considering removing Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election and replacing him with a Christian candidate.

Naija News reports that Dalung made the claim in a video shared by Symfoni TV, where he said there is strong information coming from inside the ruling All Progressives Congress about plans to change the current ticket.

He explained that a group within the party is closely monitoring internal moves and passing out details about discussions at the top level.

According to him, the idea is linked to pressure from outside Nigeria, especially from the United States, over the continued use of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Dalung said party leaders now believe the same arrangement may no longer be accepted by international partners and could affect Nigeria’s image abroad.

The former minister disclosed that three to four Christian figures have already been listed as possible replacements for Shettima.

The names he mentioned include former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Catholic bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

He added that the ruling party is reviewing whether the current religious balance can still work in the next election.

Dalung claimed the search is aimed at presenting a more acceptable ticket to foreign allies ahead of 2027.

Dalung also said President Tinubu may no longer be fully positioned for another term, pointing to rising hardship, hunger and insecurity across the country.

He argued that recent talks that no one can defeat the president are meant to cover internal problems within the party.

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The former minister insisted that although the Muslim-Muslim ticket worked in the last election, it continues to cause tension in Nigeria’s relations with Western nations.

He said: “About 3 to 4 names of Christians have been pencilled: Yakubu Dogara the former Speaker, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, General Christopher Musa the former CDS who is the minister for Defense now and George Akume the current SGF.

“There is a serious internal search for a replacement for Vice President Kashim Shettima to appease international concerns, specifically the U.S.

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“The Muslim-Muslim ticket, while successful in 2023, remains a point of friction in Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Western powers.”