The African Democratic Congress (ADC) will today begin the crucial process of selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential opposition battles ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Party members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate in the exercise after the ADC adopted the direct primary option following failed attempts to produce a consensus candidate among former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The primary comes amid increasing political realignments within the opposition camp and growing public scrutiny over which candidate can mount the strongest challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Atiku, a former vice president and multiple-time presidential contender, enters the race widely viewed as the frontrunner because of his expansive political structure, nationwide network and long-standing visibility in national politics.
Since his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party in November 2025, Atiku has played a central role in efforts to reposition the ADC as a broad coalition platform. His camp reportedly enjoys support from several influential political figures, including former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-SGF Babachir Lawal and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi.
A senior ADC member familiar with the negotiations said many delegates believe Atiku remains the party’s strongest electoral asset despite concerns about his age and repeated presidential attempts.
“Atiku may have lost previous elections, but his political machinery and national appeal are difficult to ignore,” the source said.
Another major contender, Amaechi, is banking on his record as former Rivers State governor and transportation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Supporters of the former APC stalwart argue that his experience in governance and infrastructure development, especially the railway projects executed during the Buhari administration, position him as a credible alternative capable of attracting southern support within the ADC.
Amaechi’s allies are also making a zoning argument, insisting the presidency should remain in the South beyond Tinubu’s first term if power rotation principles are to be respected.
“The South should complete its eight years, and Amaechi gives the ADC a strong southern option,” one associate of the former minister stated.
Political observers, however, note that Amaechi still faces the difficult task of dismantling Atiku’s entrenched structure within the party.
For Hayatu-Deen, the contest represents an opportunity to project himself as a technocratic alternative focused on economic recovery, institutional reforms and youth-driven governance.
The former chief executive officer of FSB International Bank Plc has consistently urged delegates to reject what he describes as “recycled politics,” insisting Nigeria requires competence-driven leadership to address worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
In a significant boost to his ambition, ADC stakeholders in the South-West on Sunday endorsed his candidacy, describing him as a disciplined and reform-oriented leader with the capacity to rebuild confidence in governance.
Babajide Dosunmu, leader of the ADC South-West Professionals Forum, said Hayatu-Deen represents “the kind of leadership Nigeria urgently requires at this critical moment.”
The endorsement came as internal tensions within the ADC deepened following the emergence of a rival faction loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu.
The faction, during a parallel convention in Abuja on Sunday, dissolved the party’s National Working Committee and adopted Kachikwu as its sole presidential candidate through a voice vote.
The group also announced a fresh set of party executives, raising concerns over possible legal and political disputes that could affect the party’s preparations ahead of 2027.
Kachikwu said Nigeria needed “strong leadership” to tackle insecurity, economic hardship and unemployment, adding that the ADC must present itself as a credible alternative to the APC and the PDP.
Today’s primary is expected to test not only the strength of the party’s internal democratic process but also the opposition’s ability to unite ahead of what analysts believe could become one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested presidential elections in recent history.
