A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chille Igbawua, has dismissed claims that the party is being positioned as a special vehicle for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Igbawua insisted that no individual within the party, including Atiku, has been given preferential treatment.
His remarks come in response to recent political shifts, particularly the defection of former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Igbawua, the ADC remains committed to a transparent and open process in determining its presidential candidate. He stressed that internal decisions are not skewed in favour of any aspirant and that claims suggesting otherwise are unfounded.
“No one who has joined the ADC has been given preference over Atiku. The process will be open and fair,” he stated, reiterating that the party is not built around any single individual.
Meanwhile, a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kano, Salisu Tanko Yakasai, has warned that divisions within the opposition could ultimately benefit President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Reacting to the recent defections, Yakasai noted that the emergence of both the ADC and NDC as separate opposition platforms may split votes at the presidential level. While some Nigerians had anticipated a unified opposition, he argued that the current fragmentation could strengthen the ruling party’s chances.
He described the situation as a “blessing in disguise,” suggesting that a single coalition might have faced legal or political hurdles that could prevent it from appearing on the ballot. According to him, having two opposition parties could make it harder to exclude them both, though it may still lead to a divided vote that favours the incumbent.