The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it will prefer to adopt a consensus method to pick its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. However, if leading aspirants fail to reach an agreement, the party will organize competitive primary elections.
This was made known by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.
Abdullahi explained that while many prominent politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi have all shown interest in the 2027 presidential race, the ADC will not be swayed by early declarations or zoning debates.
“Our plan is simple. We will pursue a consensus candidate, but if that fails, we’ll go for a proper primary election. What matters is that the process must be fair and open to all interested aspirants,” he said.
Unlike the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which have both reportedly zoned their presidential tickets to the Southern region ahead of 2027, the ADC says it will not be drawn into zoning arguments at this stage.
According to Abdullahi, the ADC’s main focus for now is building strong political structures across the country.
“We are not wasting time on zoning or who declared what,” he said. “Leadership is not just about talking. It is about knowing what to do and when to do it. For now, our attention is on building a fighting structure that can win elections.”
He stressed that everyone has the right to declare their interest in the presidency, but that does not affect the ADC’s internal process.
“Atiku says he will run, Obi says he will run, Amaechi says he will run. That’s their right. But our responsibility as a party is to ensure a level playing ground for anyone coming through the ADC platform,” he added.
The ADC, though not one of the two dominant parties in Nigeria, is positioning itself as a serious alternative ahead of the 2027 polls. The party says it wants to avoid internal divisions that have plagued other political parties during presidential primaries.
“We believe consensus can reduce tension and encourage unity. But we are also ready to allow the people to decide if consensus talks break down. That is what internal democracy is about,” Abdullahi noted.
He also pointed out that the party is currently strengthening its grassroots presence, noting that winning elections requires more than just famous names.
“A good candidate is important, yes. But even the best candidate can lose without strong grassroots support. We are working on every ward, every zone, every local government,” he said.
With the 2027 general elections still over a year away, political activities are already picking up pace. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested under the PDP in 2023, has expressed interest in running again.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, has also hinted at another shot in 2027. Similarly, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a top figure in the APC, is said to be considering a return to the presidential race.
While it is unclear if any of these men will actually join the ADC, the party is keeping its doors open to serious contenders willing to follow its process.
As Nigeria heads toward another crucial election season, the ADC is positioning itself as a party that offers internal democracy, structure, and discipline. Whether consensus or primaries, the party says it is determined to get it right.
“Our goal is not just to contest,” Abdullahi concluded. “Our goal is to win. And for that, we must choose our candidate the right way.”
