The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sounded a cautionary note to supporters of its leading presidential aspirants, warning that an “Obi or nothing” attitude among followers could jeopardize the party’s prospects in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party faithfules during a virtual edition of the ADC Coalition Hours on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, urged unity among supporters of all aspirants rather than exclusive loyalty to individual candidates. Abdullahi said that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s chances of victory.
“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,” he admonished, adding that “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.”
The ADC, once a relatively marginal party, has emerged in 2025 as the main opposition vehicle seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 polls. Under its present leadership, former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the party has been expanding its structures nationwide and courting notable figures across the political spectrum.
Since July 2025, a series of high-profile politicians have defected to the ADC platform. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi was among the first to join, followed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in November. On December 31, 2025, former Labour Party flag bearer Peter Obi formally declared his intention to seek the ADC presidential ticket, further raising the profile of the party’s coalition effort.
With other aspirants expected to throw their hats into the ring in the coming weeks, the contest for the ADC’s presidential nomination has already sparked debate among political enthusiasts, not least over zoning arrangements. Obi’s supporters have urged that the ticket be zoned to the South, while many of Atiku’s backers have called for an open contest that would allow aspirants from any zone to compete on equal footing.
Abdullahi said he had held meetings with camp leaders representing Obi, Atiku, and Amaechi to underline the importance of collective discipline and focus. “Our leaders are all aware of the task ahead, and every one of them is committed to ensuring that we win this election,” he said.
He also weighed in on speculation around the timeline for the 2027 elections. While acknowledging that an early election “could work against us because, as an opposition, we need time to heal wounds after our primaries,” Abdullahi conceded that holding the polls sooner might harness public dissatisfaction with the current administration. “On that note, we prefer next year,” he said, even as he stressed that the ADC does not determine the official electoral timetable.
The publicity secretary clarified that attacks and vilification among supporters of different aspirants should be shunned. “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,” he said, noting that “those shouting ‘Peter Obi or nothing’ are equally not helping him. They are preaching division, and they are not selling him.”
Abdullahi said the party would launch initiatives to reinforce cohesion, urging leaders and rank-and-file members alike to “speak with one voice” as the race intensifies.
