A former presidential adviser, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) risks a major internal collapse if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
Baba-Ahmed issued the stark prediction during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, analyzing the rising tensions within the coalition-backed party.
He stated that Atiku is the clear favorite to win should the ADC hold a national convention, a move he believes is inevitable given the former Vice President’s influence. This outcome, according to Baba-Ahmed, would trigger an immediate exodus of other ambitious party figures and their supporters.
“If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said. “And then, a lot of people will walk out because a lot of people are in that party only for the same thing. They want the ticket.”
He explained that the ADC has become a shelter for several high-profile politicians with conflicting presidential ambitions, a situation primed for conflict once a single flagbearer must be chosen.
Baba-Ahmed also commented on the stance of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting his political strategy is incompatible with a competitive primary. He claimed Obi is accustomed to being anointed as a consensus candidate rather than fighting for votes in a convention.
“Peter Obi doesn’t do convention. He just goes there to be anointed,” Baba-Ahmed said, indicating that such expectations would further fuel discord.
Concluding his analysis, Baba-Ahmed painted a grim picture for the party’s stability, forecasting significant damage from its own nomination process.
“So, the ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly former Vice President Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out,” he stated.
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