Barely a week after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the party is confronting yet another internal crisis.
Party chieftains loyal to Atiku and supporters of Amaechi are reportedly at loggerheads over the choice of the vice-presidential candidate, with Atiku’s camp calling for his replacement. The brewing tension has raised fresh doubts about the stability of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku’s camp has attributed the delay in formally unveiling Amaechi to the former Vice President’s tight travel schedule. In a post on X, one of Atiku’s media aides, Abdulrasheed Shehu, dismissed rumours of discord, stating: “Atiku/Amaechi is settled. His Excellency is on a short business trip. Once he returns, Amaechi will be officially unveiled as the VP candidate in a few days. Stop posting fake news.”
The announcement of the Atiku-Amaechi ticket was made on June 5 by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who described the pairing as a “unity and rescue” ticket. However, the decision quickly drew sharp opposition from Atiku’s loyalists, particularly those who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Critics within Atiku’s camp allege that Amaechi was imposed by associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari from the All Progressives Congress (APC) bloc. They also express concerns about Amaechi’s strong independence, fearing it could sideline Atiku’s inner circle in the campaign structure. A former prominent member of the Buhari administration told *The Guardian* that Atiku’s supporters were particularly incensed by the speed with which some ADC leaders accepted Amaechi’s conditions, including his role in managing the presidential campaign.
Meanwhile, Amaechi’s supporters are said to be preparing a contingency plan. Sources revealed that they have urged him to pursue a court case challenging the ADC presidential primary if his name is not uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal by June 27.
Adding to the party’s woes, a prominent ADC chieftain in Katsina State, Mustapha Inuwa, has warned that supporters are rapidly losing confidence in the party. Inuwa, a former Secretary to the Katsina State Government and governorship aspirant, raised the alarm during a meeting with his supporters on Sunday.
“The party that people have confidence and hope in is the party that is starting with this kind of mess. It is really unfortunate,” Inuwa said. “People are disappointed. People are beginning to lose hope in ADC.”
Inuwa accused the party leadership of failing to address complaints regarding the conduct of the party’s primaries despite earlier representations. He said his camp has initiated fresh consultations with supporters over the unresolved issues.
Both Atiku’s and Amaechi’s camps have so far maintained silence on the simmering crisis, even as the clock ticks towards key electoral deadlines. The developments cast a shadow over the ADC’s efforts to position itself as a viable alternative in the 2027 presidential race.
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