KEY POINTS
- Atiku’s grip on ADC triggers internal tensions.
- Obi loyalists allege exclusion from key decisions.
- ADC insists on fairness as APC mocks divisions.
Less than two years before Nigeria’s next general election, political divisions are already evident within the opposition ranks.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), once billed as a neutral coalition platform, is now caught in the crossfire between two of the country’s most recognizable political figures—former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Atiku’s growing influence inside ADC coalition
Party insiders say Atiku has quietly secured control of much of the ADC’s machinery, from state chapters to its national leadership.
The aim, according to multiple sources, is to position himself for another run against President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Several officials allege the former vice president’s camp has been deploying both political clout and financial muscle to consolidate influence.
Obi allies voice frustration over exclusion
The Obidient Movement, Obi’s political base, recently sent a memo to ADC leaders accusing them of sidelining its members from major decision-making.
National Coordinator Tanko Yunusa described the matter as “a work in progress” but insisted Obi was not struggling for relevance. While the Labour Party leader remains in the coalition, his loyalists believe Atiku’s early entry and resources have tilted the balance of power.
ADC denies takeover claims amid APC taunts
Bolaji Abdullahi, the interim National Publicity Secretary of ADC, dismissed any talk of an Atiku takeover, emphasizing that the party would ensure equal opportunities for all contenders.
Board of Trustees chair Ibrahim Mani echoed the sentiment, insisting ambitions were secondary to building a credible opposition. The ruling APC, however, dismissed the ADC as “a coalition of confusion,” arguing it lacks unity and capacity to unseat Tinubu.
The 2027 race is still taking shape, but the early jostling within the ADC suggests a bruising contest ahead. Whether Atiku’s strategy cements his dominance or fuels deeper fractures in the coalition may determine how formidable an opponent the ruling APC will face.
