Atiku’s 2027 bid could split ADC, Baba-Ahmed warns

Former presidential adviser, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may face internal collapse if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar clinches the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where he analysed emerging fault lines within the coalition-backed opposition party.

According to him, Atiku is well positioned to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket once the party conducts a national convention, but such an outcome could trigger widespread defections by other ambitious members.

“If the ADC goes to a convention — and it will, because that is what Atiku wants — he will most likely get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“And when that happens, many people will walk away, because a lot of those currently in the party are there for the same reason: to become president.”

He argued that the ADC is presently housing several influential political figures with overlapping ambitions, a situation he said would inevitably lead to conflict once the ticket becomes contested.

Baba-Ahmed also weighed in on the role of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting that Obi’s political approach is at odds with the realities of a crowded presidential primary.

“Peter Obi is effectively saying, ‘I’m not here for second place or for convention politics. I’m here to fly the flag,’” he said.

According to Baba-Ahmed, Obi has historically emerged through consensus arrangements rather than competitive primaries, a pattern he believes may be difficult to sustain within the ADC.

“He doesn’t really do conventions. He goes there to be adopted,” Baba-Ahmed added, noting that such expectations could deepen tensions as other aspirants insist on equal opportunity to contest.

He concluded that the ADC’s convention may mark a turning point for the coalition.

“The party will bleed after its convention. Almost certainly, Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out,” Baba-Ahmed said.