The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern warning to supporters of its high-profile presidential aspirants, stating that internal divisiveness only advances the cause of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, delivered the caution during a virtual forum on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
He revealed that he has held unity talks with the party’s leading figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Abdullahi stated that a consensus was reached on the need for a united front.
“The general consensus seems to be that we have a job to do to make this country a better place. Our leaders are all aware of the task ahead and every one of them is committed to ensuring that we win this election,” he said.
However, he expressed strong disapproval of the conduct of some supporters, whose rhetoric he claimed is damaging the party’s prospects for the 2027 elections.
“Let me also say this, those supporting this divisiveness by supporters of any of the aspirants should stop what they are doing because they are clearly working to the advantage of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Abdullahi declared.
He emphasised that an uncompromising stance from supporters is counterproductive.
“Saying it is either this candidate or nothing is not helpful because getting the ticket alone means nothing; what is important is winning the election and we cannot carry this divisiveness and expect to win,” the ADC spokesman argued.
Abdullahi affirmed that all the party’s aspirants are qualified, but stressed that vilification campaigns must cease. “We believe that all our aspirants are eminently qualified and vilifying anybody or any region is not helpful and will make it more difficult,” he said.
Directing a specific message to certain factions, Abdullahi added, “Those shouting Peter Obi or nothing are equally not helping him. They are preaching division and they are not selling him. They are not providing the room for people to support him from other places; they should stop making other people take hard stances because everyone needs to be on board for us to win this election.”
He concluded by stating the party’s resolve to focus on unity, saying, “We are going to ignore people creating exceptionality and we are going to focus on what we are doing because we want to win this election.”
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