Eshioromeh Sebastian
Nigeria’s opposition parties are tearing themselves apart just months before the 2027 general election, with parallel conventions, accusations of vote buying, and multiple factions all claiming to be the legitimate leadership.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are both in crisis. Several presidential hopefuls have rejected primary results, raising serious questions about whether the opposition can mount a credible challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaechi rejects ADC primary result
Former Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has rejected the outcome of the ADC’s presidential primaries. He alleged that the exercise was neither free nor fair, and accused party officials of vote buying.
Writing on his verified X account, Amaechi said he would not accept what he called a “concocted” result. He also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to stop the malpractice.
“I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi said.
He reminded the public of his earlier position. “I had initially stated that I would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent, and I stand by my word,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that nearly 80 per cent of party members were unable to vote. “There’s no way that about eighty per cent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he added.
He also pointed to double standards within the ADC. “A party that criticises the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that lead to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable.”
Hayatu-Deen stays away from results declaration
In a similar move, former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was absent when the ADC attempted to declare its primary results.
Earlier, he had announced on X that he would not take part in the exercise. He cited reports of vote manipulation across several states and his own observations while voting in Borno State.
Hayatu-Deen also claimed that some delegates were pressured to withdraw in favour of unnamed candidates. He noted that in some locations, consensus arrangements were announced before voting had even begun.
The ADC had not issued an official response at the time of this report. The results declaration went ahead without him.
Kachikwu: ‘We are the real ADC’
Dumebi Kachikwu has dismissed suggestions that his group is a faction. He insisted that his camp remains the legitimate ADC structure recognised by INEC.
Speaking on AIT’s programme “Political Platform”, Kachikwu argued that the real faction is the one associated with former Senate president David Mark, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and others.
“Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, but we’re not a faction. We are the ADC. The people whom you’ve mentioned, Atiku and co., are the people who are factions,” he said.
He claimed that state executives from across the country attended his camp’s convention. “If you watched our convention yesterday, you will see ADC faithful from all over Nigeria. All the state chairmen of the ADC, as recognised by INEC, were there yesterday,” Kachikwu said.
He accused the media of exaggerating the influence of the Mark-led bloc. “I think what has happened is that in the last one year, the media has built this myth about an ADC of David Mark and co., Atiku and co., Peter Obi and co., before they left,” he stated.
Kachikwu also noted that a court order supports his position. “Because it’s a subsisting court order that said that we are the only ones who have the right to conduct congresses and conventions. And it’s based on that that we did conduct our convention yesterday,” he explained.
PDP faction backs Sandy Onor
Meanwhile, a faction of the PDP led by Abdulrahman Mohammed has chosen former Cross River State governorship candidate Sandy Onor as its consensus presidential candidate for 2027.
Former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom announced the decision. He said the committee had consulted party members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory before settling on Onor.
Onor had purchased his expression of interest and nomination forms earlier this month. He was the only aspirant in the exercise.
After the announcement, the faction’s national secretary Samuel Anyanwu presented a certificate of return and the party’s flag to Onor. INEC officials, including national commissioners Abdullahi Zuru and Rhoda Habor Gumus, watched the proceedings at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
Court says Jonathan can run in 2027
In a separate development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former president Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling came after the Kabiru Turaki-led PDP faction had earlier adopted Jonathan as its candidate.
Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit filed by an Abuja lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who had sought Jonathan’s disqualification. The judge said the case lacked merit and described it as an abuse of court process.
“This attitude of the plaintiff is unacceptable and should be discouraged,” Justice Lifu said.
The court awarded N20 million in costs against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan, and another N1 million in favour of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Jonathan’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), had argued that the constitutional amendment barring anyone who has taken the presidential oath more than twice could not be applied retroactively to Jonathan. The court agreed.
Dickson plans digital primaries for NDC
Former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson has said the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is fast becoming a strong opposition force. He announced plans to replace manual primaries with an electronic voting system.
Speaking at a dinner for the party’s aspirants, Dickson said the NDC’s rapid growth has surprised critics who initially dismissed the party as insignificant. He called the NDC the “most cohesive opposition platform” in the country.
Presidential hopeful Peter Obi attended the event. However, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was absent because of political activities in Kano State ahead of the primaries.
Dickson warned aspirants against what he called opportunistic politics. He said the NDC is being built as a lasting institution, not a temporary vehicle. He added that preparations are under way to deploy digital systems to reduce manipulation and restore credibility to internal party elections.
Wike predicts Tinubu victory in FCT
Finally, Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike has predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win the FCT in the 2027 election. He credited what he described as unprecedented infrastructure development across Abuja and its satellite towns.
Speaking during an inspection of projects, Wike said residents are beginning to see the impact of governance beyond the city centre.
“What the people want is simple: they want to feel the impact of governance. Nigerians are interested in good governance, infrastructure, electricity and improved living conditions,” Wike said.
“With what I have seen, I believe the President will not only get the required percentage in the FCT, but will also win comfortably. What reason would people have not to vote for Mr President now?”
He said the APC recorded gains during the last area council elections in places once considered difficult political territory. Wike added that many of the projects he inspected are nearing completion and will be commissioned as part of activities marking Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
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