The race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket has deepened divisions within the party, with supporters of key aspirants sharply split ahead of the primaries.
The internal wrangling is unfolding despite ongoing leadership disputes that have left the party without formal recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC’s stance follows a Court of Appeal order in a suit challenging the emergence of David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as members of the party’s National Working Committee.
The ADC remains fractured, with three factions laying claim to its leadership structure, leaving many state chapters unable to conduct congresses.
Despite this uncertainty, the party proceeded with its national convention in Abuja on Tuesday without INEC monitoring, a move observers have described as risky.
The development has further exposed cracks within the opposition platform as it prepares for the 2027 general election.
At the centre of the growing tension are three major political figures: Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, all of whom are believed to be interested in the party’s presidential ticket.
The trio, who recently defected from different political parties, have become rallying points for competing interests within the ADC.
While Atiku’s camp has proposed a joint ticket with Obi, the idea has been strongly rejected by Obi’s supporters.
An ally of Atiku, Dele Momodu, argued that pairing both politicians would strengthen the opposition, citing their previous alliance in 2019.
“I’d pair him (Atiku) with Peter Obi because they worked together in 2019,” Momodu said, adding that such a combination would attract broader electoral support
The race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket has deepened divisions within the party, with supporters of key aspirants sharply split ahead of the primaries.
The internal wrangling is unfolding despite ongoing leadership disputes that have left the party without formal recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission