El-Rufai, Obi May Abandon APC over Atiku’s Ambition 

There are increasing signs of discord within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as several founding members are losing confidence, potentially undermining the party’s prospects for influence in the 2027 elections.

 

The crux of the dispute revolves around former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s intention to seek the presidency in 2027 under the party’s banner.

 

BusinessDay has learned that significant party figures, including Nasir El-Rufai, are uneasy with Atiku Abubakar’s determination to pursue the presidency in 2027 via the party’s platform.

 

Moreover, it has been reported that El-Rufai, who advocated for a southern presidential candidate in the 2023 election, remains steadfast that the presidency should stay in the South until 2031.

 

Atiku’s ambitions have continued to erode the party’s cohesion as a coalition platform.

 

Many now perceive his affiliation with the ADC as merely a vehicle for his personal quest to realize his 2027 presidential aspirations.

 

It is not immediately evident whom Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, is supporting for the 2027 presidential election. However, sources close to the party indicate that he has unequivocally stated his support for a candidate from the South for the 2027 presidential race.

 

Thus far, Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State, and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, have expressed their interest in the 2027 presidency from the South.

 

A member of the party’s interim management team, speaking to BusinessDay in Abuja under anonymity, lamented that the “ambition of the former vice president may undermine the party unless he agrees to withdraw.”

 

“Yes, there is widespread enthusiasm about the new coalition and the opportunity it presents for Nigerians to elect leaders of their choice in 2027, but Atiku Abubakar’s plans to contest may jeopardize our chances,” the source remarked.

 

“As you know, Nasir El-Rufai played a pivotal role in the emergence of President Bola Tinubu in 2023. He continues to hold that position and will solely support a southern candidate in 2027.”

 

The ADC official, however, noted that the party will not prevent the former vice president from contesting, asserting that “the party will provide everyone with an equal opportunity.”

 

This development within the ADC has prompted Ahmed Datti, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, to return to his party.

 

Katch Ononuju, an ADC member, informed BusinessDay that the move aims to initiate a new peace process in the Labour Party for Peter Obi’s presidential ambition in 2027.

 

“It is becoming increasingly evident that Atiku Abubakar’s excessive ambitions will hinder the emergence of a southern candidate on the ADC platform for the 2027 presidential election.

 

“This is reminiscent of the situation in 2023 that led the Obidient group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to defect to the Labour Party in 2023.”

 

Ononuju, director-general of The Heritage Center in Abuja, alleged that the alliance between David Mark and Atiku Abubakar dates back to the 1993 presidential election.

 

“In 2013, the coalition was formed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the New PDP (nPDP), led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, current President Bola Tinubu, and Atiku Abubakar, respectively. This time, they have transitioned to the ADC.”

 

He confirmed that El-Rufai remains unwavering in his commitment to the ADC producing a southern presidential candidate in 2027.

 

“But he stands alone in this stance. We must commend him for his steadfastness. Since 2023, he has consistently maintained this position, and I doubt he will remain if the insistence on a northern presidential candidate for the party persists,” he stated.

 

He emphasized that Ahmed Datti has the support of Peter Obi and the Obidient movement to fortify the peace process in the Labour Party.

 

According to him, “This is part of the strategy to secure a credible platform for the realization of Peter Obi’s presidential ambition in 2027.”

 

John Enemari, a prominent Benue politician and chairman of the state branch of the Action Alliance (AA), attributed the political class’s failure to unite against the ruling APC to ‘greed and selfishness.’

 

He stated, “Unless the ADC leaders consolidate and set aside individual ambitions to forge a united front against the APC, Nigeria cannot expect much from them.”

 

Regarding the coalition’s potential to seize power from the ruling APC in 2027, Enemari noted, “It is possible, provided they are honest with themselves and willing to eschew greedy and selfish politicians.”

 

He referenced a similar coalition in 2013 and emphasized that selecting a credible candidate was instrumental in the APC’s success in 2015.

 

“They must set aside greed and abandon the current self-serving approach to gaining power. The party’s executive members must also resist selling out and awarding tickets to the highest bidders.

 

“If the race is left open in that manner, certain regions will never have the opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president because the so-called majority will always commandeer the process and its outcome.”

 

He also highlighted the situation of the Idomas in Benue State, noting that despite having nine out of the 23 local governments, they have not been permitted to produce a governor in the state.

 

“They should discourage the practice of awarding tickets to the highest bidders.”

 

Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the Labour Party, speaking to BusinessDay on the latest developments in the party, stated that the party remains open to Peter Obi but added that “he cannot receive an automatic ticket.”

 

“Yes, Ahmed Datti was our vice-presidential candidate in 2023, and the meeting he attended was a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. As the party’s former vice-presidential candidate, we welcomed him.

 

“He mentioned attending the meeting to foster peace. Therefore, we believe his intentions were genuinely sincere and committed to the peace process.”

 

Obiora emphasized that the Obidient group has remained an integral component of the Labour Party.

 

“The Obidient group comprises individuals who believe that Nigeria must change for the better. They possess their own mindset and are dedicated to shaping a brighter future for the country. They do not reside solely within one party. They can be found in the LP, APC, PDP, and all major groups in Nigeria. The Obidients exist across all these parties.

 

“We will allow Peter Obi to contest just like any other individual interested in vying for the presidential ticket. It will not be an automatic ticket for Peter Obi.

 

“We are organizing our affairs, and the party is progressing,” he added.