By: Joy Musa Kefas
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the early zoning of presidential tickets by Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, describing the move as “anti-people” and a distraction from the country’s pressing challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Tuesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over the premature political maneuvering by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), both of which have already begun positioning for the 2027 presidential election.
“The general election is still in 2027; it’s still two years away,” Abdullahi noted. “Why are we so preoccupied and behaving in such a way that Nigerians begin to look at the political elite across the political divides as people who don’t care about them?” he asked pointedly.
The PDP recently announced the zoning of its presidential ticket to the South, while the APC has seen growing internal support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, with 22 governors reportedly endorsing him as the party’s sole candidate.
Abdullahi argued that such moves reflect a political class more focused on power-sharing than on solving Nigeria’s deep-rooted issues of insecurity, poverty, and economic instability. “They are playing a game. Nigerians can see right through it,” he said, adding that the ADC will not be drawn into premature zoning debates.
Instead, the ADC says its priority is building grassroots structures and promoting a merit-based leadership model. “We are focused on readiness, organisation, and credibility. Zoning is not our priority,” Abdullahi emphasized.
The party, which has recently emerged as a coalition platform for prominent opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, insists that all aspirants will be given equal opportunity when the time comes.
Political observers say the ADC’s stance could resonate with voters disillusioned by traditional party politics and eager for a more people-centered approach to governance.
As Nigeria inches closer to 2027, the ADC’s message is clear: it’s time to prioritize the people over power.
