ADC Rejects Kachikwu’s Claim to the 2027 Ticket
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared the gathering that nominated Dumebi Kachikwu as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election illegal and without authority. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the meeting did not follow the party’s due process and lacked endorsement from the leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Recognised Leadership and Legitimate Primary Process
Abdullahi reiterated that the only legitimate ADC leadership is the one headed by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. He argued that any convention outside this structure cannot produce a valid candidate, noting that INEC and even the Supreme Court have affirmed the Mark‑Aregbesola leadership as the party’s sole authority.
ADC’s Transparent Membership Register
The party disclosed that its verified membership stands at 3,444,000, a figure drawn from the register submitted to INEC after a thorough cleanup exercise. Abdullahi invited anyone to verify the number at INEC’s offices, stressing the ADC’s commitment to transparency and rejecting any attempt to “cook up” figures for political gain.
Accusations Against the APC
Turning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi accused it of inflating its membership numbers to create a false impression of guaranteed votes ahead of the 2027 election. He described the APC’s claims of 11 million, 20 million, or even 30 million members as “amusing and laughable,” challenging the party to produce a verifiable membership register submitted to INEC.
Credible Primary Competition Underway
Despite the controversy, Abdullahi affirmed that the ADC is conducting what he called the only genuine presidential primary in the country. Three aspirants — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu‑Deen — are vying for the ticket, and he stressed that none can claim victory before the process concludes.
Party Officials Emphasise Due Process and INEC Supervision
National Organising Secretary Chinedu Idigo added that the ADC has meticulously designed its primary process to ensure credible candidates emerge. He said the party notified INEC ahead of the primaries, invited its observers to all levels — from state assembly to governorship contests — and confirmed that the presidential primaries are being supervised by INEC nationwide.
Committee Calls for Peace and Sportsmanship
The ADC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, led by Ikechi Emenike, urged supporters of all aspirants to maintain peace and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the exercise. The committee described the ongoing primary as proof of the ADC’s dedication to internal democracy at a time when democratic values appear to be eroding elsewhere in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The latest disagreement underscores ongoing tension within the ADC as it seeks to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 general election. While the David Mark‑led leadership insists it is conducting a credible, nationwide primary, the parallel convention that produced Kachikwu indicates a faction of dissatisfied members remains opposed to the current direction. The party maintains that only the process supervised under its recognised leadership will yield the legitimate presidential candidate for 2027.
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