Too Early To Decide – ADC Speaks On Choosing Presidential Candidate Among Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Prioritizes Party Development

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has made it clear that it is far too early to begin discussions about its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, despite growing speculation involving prominent political figures. According to the party, its current priority is strengthening its internal structure and solidifying its ideological foundation.

This was made known by Bolaji Abdullahi, the interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, during a press interaction in Abuja on Saturday. He noted that the ADC is not engaging in any backdoor discussions or aligning itself with any particular aspirant, whether from within its ranks or among well-known political heavyweights rumored to be eyeing the party’s ticket.

Public attention has increasingly turned toward the ADC as talk of 2027 intensifies, with several sources suggesting that the party may become a landing pad for key figures from other political platforms. Among those speculated to be interested in the ADC’s presidential ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Despite the noise, Abdullahi maintained that such assumptions remain speculative at best. He was emphatic that no internal consultations or negotiations have taken place within the party on any candidacy.

“We don’t have any favourite aspirants or candidates. We are not having any conversation at the moment. Nobody has ever had any discussion about who will be the party’s flag bearer,” he stated firmly. “We believe that it is too early in the day. Our focus now is to build a political party that is strong enough to deliver on the mission that we have set for ourselves.”

This approach underscores the party’s strategic shift toward foundational rebuilding, a move that is not uncommon in the early stages of a new election cycle. Political analysts see it as a conscious effort to avoid the missteps of previous cycles, where early endorsements often led to internal discord and fragmented coalitions.

The ADC has been working on reinventing itself after struggling to establish a national presence in the last electoral outings. While the party did gain some traction in past elections through its alignment with various interest groups and civil society advocates, it failed to break into the mainstream political consciousness in a way that could translate into substantial electoral gains.

This time, party leaders appear to be taking a long-term view. The emphasis, according to Abdullahi, is on creating a political identity rooted in purpose and clear ideology rather than personality politics. This means sidelining discussions about individual ambitions until the party’s structure is robust enough to carry the weight of a national campaign.

Observers note that the ADC could emerge as a potent third force if it manages to balance this organizational focus with strategic alliances. The presence of influential political figures like Atiku, Obi, or Amaechi in the rumor mill has only added fuel to public curiosity. Still, none of the three has made any public move to join the ADC or declare presidential intentions under its platform.

For now, all three potential candidates remain without formal ties to the ADC. Atiku, a long-time contender under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has yet to signal any departure from his political base. Obi, whose last outing under the Labour Party stirred significant support among the youth, has also not made any moves toward switching platforms. Amaechi, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has maintained a low public profile since the last election cycle.

Despite these uncertainties, political commentators believe the ADC’s decision to delay the candidate discussion might serve it well. The move allows it to refine its platform, build coalitions based on shared values, and avoid the pitfalls of early fragmentation. Still, whether the party can sustain public interest and turn speculation into substantive political momentum remains to be seen.

As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 elections, parties like the ADC may hold the key to reshaping the political narrative. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether the party’s strategic patience pays off, or if it finds itself crowded out by more established players returning to the national stage.