By George OPARA
Ahead of the 2027 presidential polls, two presidential contenders under the platform of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi have sharply disagreed on the choice of democratic process through which the party’s presidential flagbearer can emerge.
While former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has considered consensus as first choice, former governor and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi called for a transparent primary election.
The latter argued that consensus option will portend dangers of imposition capable of discouraging democratic commitment.while Atiku said consensus will enthrone cohesion, mutual spirit and unity amongst the contenders.
In an interview on ARISE TV on Wednesday, Atiku said, “The first option will be to work out a consensus”.
But Amaechi said party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidate, stressing that democracy must be upheld within the party.
He maintained that leadership should emerge through a credible voting process rather than backroom agreements.
On the possible emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer, Amaechi said he would support him if he wins a fair primary but insisted that no aspirant should be handed the ticket without going through due process.
Nonetheless, Atiku who believed the ADC power dynamics and his personal political warchest appeared unperturbed. He said
if consensus option fails, a presidential candidate can emerge by primaries, pledging to support whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer.
Asked further, Atiku asserted that he would willingness step aside if another candidate emerges through a consensus or electoral process within the coalition.
“I will step aside for any winner,” he said, adding when asked specifically about Peter Obi, “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?”
Pressed to confirm the finality of his decision, he responded firmly, “That’s incontrovertible.”
On zoning accord, Amaechi said that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for the country’s highest office regardless of zoning debates. He also dismissed arguments around North–South power rotation, averring that competence should take priority over regional considerations.
He even cautioned Nigerians against voting based on religion or ethnicity, blaming such considerations for the country’s current situation.
But political watchers said religious doctrines deeply dictate political alliances, which shape voter behavior, defining political ideologies, and mobilizing voters, often blurring the line of right political decision that ultimately influence outcomes of most elections.
Agreed that democratic primaries widen choice of alternative candidates, increase competition, participation, support merit system and remove undue power of the party bosses yet,
in most circles of political pundits, it was also said even if consensus option is not everyone’s first choice, it emphasizes mutual agreement, collaboration, and a “win-win” solution rather than voting and having a majority rule over a minority which may be politically complex to handle.
With the proposals on the table, the ADC, no doubt, has a weighty decision to make that can make or mar the party come 2027 general polls.
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