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Coalition: Tensions rise in ADC as Atiku faces pressure to withdraw presidential candidacy
In what can be characterized as a significant political maneuvering, there is an impending clash within the coalition surrounding the selection of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
The ADC, having recently emerged as a coalition party, finds itself at a crossroads, with three prominent politicians vying for the opportunity to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming electoral race.
The party has been witnessing intense political factionalism, with various camps attempting to secure the presidential nomination despite claims by party leaders that the ADC was not founded on personal ambition.
Tensions are escalating, however, as factions gear up to outmaneuver one another, especially given the backdrop of recent defections from other political parties.
A significant narrative has emerged regarding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with allegations surfacing that he seeks to position himself as the ADC’s candidate.
Meanwhile, many party supporters argue for the importance of zoning the ticket to the southern region, given that the current president hails from the south. Opting for another candidate from the south could provide a strategic advantage, creating momentum for the party.
In this scenario, potential candidates like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi find themselves in the spotlight.
Obi, with his substantial national support, seems to be the preferred choice among the electorate, while Amaechi struggles to extend his influence beyond his home state and is viewed as lacking significant political weight in other regions of the country.
Despite these considerations, recent developments suggest that neither Obi nor Amaechi stands a strong chance of securing the ticket, as pressure mounts on Atiku from certain party stakeholders to withdraw his candidacy in favor of one of the southern contenders.
An inside source within the party has noted that a significant confrontation may arise between Atiku’s camp and that of Peter Obi, given Atiku’s apparent ambitions to claim the party’s presidential nomination.
In a strategic move, Obi may opt to return to the Labour Party if his chances within ADC diminish further, particularly if Atiku were to select Amaechi as his running mate for the 2027 elections.
“Amaechi is primarily seeking relevance within the political landscape. He recognizes that his chances of obtaining the ticket are slim, but the real battle will occur between the factions of Atiku and Obi, as both sides are covertly strategizing for their advantage. However, it’s worth noting that there is significant distrust of Peter Obi among certain party insiders, and Atiku has made it clear he will not step aside for Obi. Some party stakeholders also express skepticism, suggesting that Obi may struggle against Tinubu, particularly given that northern voters are unlikely to support him in significant numbers. The dynamics of this election appear markedly different from 2023, when Obi garnered votes in northern regions.”the source said.
Meanwhile, The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that the ongoing coalition talks are not centered on any individual candidate, including Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, but focused on building a stronger alliance for Nigeria’s future.
The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, revealed this in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday.
“The coalition has nothing to do with either Peter Obi or Atiku. They are just members like many others. The focus is not on them. And of course, it is within anyone’s right to have political ambitions or to run for any position,” he said.