The growing 2027 presidential ambitions of key political figures in the newly unveiled African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition are deepening divisions among supporters and stakeholders within the alliance.
Political maneuvers and behind-the-scenes consultations have sparked heated debates, particularly on social media, intensifying internal power struggles. Observers have flagged the clash of ambitions among leading contenders as a major obstacle to the coalition’s cohesion and potential success.
With less than two years to the next general election, the ADC-led coalition faces an uphill task—not only in taking on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but also in managing its internal discord.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi have emerged as the top contenders expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the APC in 2027.
Although Atiku has yet to officially declare his intention to run, Obi and Amaechi have publicly confirmed their interest in the race. Party insiders told DAILY POST that the coalition is already experiencing internal fractures, with some factions backing Atiku, others loyal to Obi, and a third bloc supporting Amaechi.
Obi Reaffirms 2027 Presidential Bid
On Monday, Peter Obi reiterated his decision to contest the presidency in 2027, dismissing speculations that he may serve as Atiku’s running mate. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, the former Anambra State governor said:
“I am going to contest for the president of Nigeria and I believe I am qualified. Nobody has discussed with me that I’m going to be A, B or C.”
Amaechi Promises One-Term Presidency
Rotimi Amaechi, who placed second in the 2022 APC presidential primary, has also declared his interest in seeking the ADC ticket. He pledged to serve only one term, citing the need to respect zoning agreements.
“I won’t do more than four years,” he said.
Why Atiku Should Be Candidate – Dele Momodu
Veteran journalist Dele Momodu, in an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, argued that Atiku is best positioned to lead the coalition.
“I said the best choice would be my candidate. Which is what I expect the ‘Obidients’ to say, which I expect those who are supporting Rotimi Amaechi to say—there is nothing wrong with that.
“I’m looking at the numbers. This game is a game of numbers. And the people who are most aggrieved today are from the northern part of Nigeria.
“He’s been running his business, investing in education and agriculture. For me, this is a good example of what a leader should be.
“In Nigeria, you will never find a thug in front of Atiku’s house. For me, these are things that are presented by him, and it is my right to say those things.
“I’ve never asked anyone not to support Peter Obi. Obi is my very good friend today. If you ask me, one of the people that I believe should lead the coalition, it will be Obi.
“And as a Democrat, I’m appealing to them. I hope they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say, ‘Oh, they forced one person on them.’
“Let them all go to the fields. Let all Obidients campaign for Obi. Let all those for Atiku and Amaechi also campaign.”
Amaechi Has a Chance – Eze
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP and ally of Amaechi, told DAILY POST that the former governor has a real shot at the ADC ticket.
“Amaechi has the chance of securing the ticket depending on how the presidential delegates of ADC decide and vote. Let us just wait and exercise a little patience in this regard.”
Obi Better Placed to Emerge – Yunusa Tanko
Dr Yunusa Tanko, former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation and Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, also spoke to DAILY POST. He insisted that Peter Obi remains the best candidate to lead the coalition.
“That’s what democracy entails. This is not a one-man show. In democracy, people have the right to show interest just as Peter Obi has the right to show interest.
“We believe that Obi’s candidature will be a unifying candidature that will unite this country.”
Tanko also dismissed tensions within the coalition as part of a healthy democratic process:
“It’s just trying to get the best out of the system. When people give reasons why a candidate is better than others, they are purely doing what democracy entails.
“It’s not a secret cult. It’s somebody who will meet the people, who has the capacity, who can debate, who can move from point A to B, and who can show compassion, credibility, and passion to make this country work.
“And that is the reason why, from all our assessments, we have seen that Mr. Peter Obi fits that particular vacancy.”
Asked what happens if Obi does not emerge as the coalition’s candidate, Tanko responded:
“When we reach that bridge, we will cross it. At the moment, we haven’t reached that particular bridge. We are so sure that, by the grace of God, Peter Obi will emerge and run for election come 2027.”
Supporters Clash on Social Media
Meanwhile, the internal wrangling has spilled onto social media, where supporters of the three aspirants are engaged in heated debates. Over the weekend, platforms were awash with exchanges between loyalists defending their preferred candidates.
Pro-Obi groups argue that the coalition cannot make meaningful impact unless Obi emerges as its flagbearer, while Atiku’s supporters cite his political experience and broader appeal across regions.
Analyst Warns of Supporter Dynamics
Public affairs analyst and communication scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Dr Nduka Odo, told DAILY POST that the supporters of the top contenders could either strengthen or destabilize the coalition.
According to Odo:
“The supporters of the three top aspirants can be a blessing as well as a curse. Parties are built not mainly by the political aspirants but by the citizens who buy into the ideologies or sensations of the leading proponents.
“Currently, ADC is like an arranged marital union. The spouses are like strange bedfellows. Creating the union is where the ambitions of the fellows will be tested against their desires for a Nigeria different from the one led by Tinubu.
Most of them have worked together in the recent past: Atiku with Obi in 2019 under PDP; El-Rufai, Amaechi, and Atiku in 2015 under APC. Once they settle up there, supporters of most of the aspirants will easily fall in line.
“Amaechi’s support base is currently weak compared to Obi and Atiku, who flew their party flags in 2023 and performed well. So, supporters of Amaechi won’t post challenges to ADC.
“Atiku’s support base are traditional politicians—people who survive by being in the corridors of power. They’ll support any candidate, as long as their interests are served.
“But the supporters of Peter Obi—largely young, independent, and reform-driven—pose a different kind of challenge. Obi is not in control of his supporters; rather, his supporters are in control of the movement.
“If ADC fails to field Peter Obi in 2027, it will lose the Obidients—and not even Obi himself can convince them to support another candidate.
— DAILY POST
