2027: ‘Stop parading yourself as ADC candidate’ faction warns Atiku

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has warned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stop presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

“The leadership of the African Democratic Congress hereby issues a formal and final warning to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to desist, with immediate effect, from holding himself out or parading himself as the presiden

The faction, led by National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisted that Atiku “is not, and has never been” the presidential candidate of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Gombe said the party had already concluded its internal processes and nominated Professor Chris Uba as its presidential flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.

He said the clarification became necessary to protect the integrity of the party and prevent what he described as attempts by coalition actors to hijack the ADC platform.tial candidate of the ADC,” the statement said.

The faction also disowned a group allegedly operating under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark, describing it as a self-styled body with no legal or constitutional authority within the party.

According to Gombe, the group is not a legitimate organ of the ADC and has no recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct congresses, organise primaries or take binding decisions on behalf of the party.

He maintained that the ADC is not in any alliance, merger or coalition with any other political party.

“The party categorically states that the African Democratic Congress is not in any form of alliance, merger, or coalition with any other political party,” Gombe said.

“The ADC remains an autonomous, ideologically grounded, and self-reliant political party committed to contesting all elections on its own merit, structure, and manifesto.”

Gombe said the party had acted in line with its constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC guidelines before nominating Uba as its candidate.

“The African Democratic Congress presents Professor Chris Uba as its duly recognised flag bearer,” he said.

“The party is of the firm conviction that Professor Uba possesses the requisite competence, capacity, character, and national appeal to provide transformational leadership for Nigeria at this critical period in our history.”

The faction accused unnamed political interests of trying to turn the ADC into a vehicle for personal ambition ahead of the 2027 election.

“The ADC was founded on the principles of national renewal, inclusive governance, and credible alternative leadership,” Gombe said.

“The party is not, and will not be, a rental platform or a Special Purpose Vehicle for political opportunists, displaced individuals, or coalition actors seeking to leverage our structure for personal ambition.”

He warned that the faction would pursue all legal and constitutional options to defend the party’s identity, structure and candidates from what he called unauthorised appropriation and misrepresentation.

Gombe also dismissed claims of a plot to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections, describing the allegations as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

He said the party still has confidence in INEC and Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework.

“The African Democratic Congress will not be reduced to an instrument of chaos,” he added.

“We will not permit any individual or group to exploit our platform to spread misinformation, incite civil disturbances, or destabilise the polity to advance selfish political objectives.”

The faction said the ADC is prepared for the 2027 elections and will present candidates for presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, state assembly and local government contests.

It urged party members, supporters, INEC, security agencies and the public to disregard statements from unauthorised persons or factions.

The development deepens the crisis in the ADC as rival interests battle for control of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

While Atiku has been linked to the ADC platform ahead of the next election, the Gombe-led faction insists the party has already settled for Uba and will not allow any politician to parade himself as its candidate without authority.