The African Democratic Congress has emerged as a central hub for opposition figures following hints from former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding his preferred choice for the party’s 2027 ticket. This development has reportedly caused a decline in the momentum of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambitions, as influential power brokers shift their focus.
Inside sources suggest that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate, is currently engaged in extensive “behind-the-scenes” lobbying within the ADC. Analysts note that Obi’s approach for 2027 has shifted from the grassroots-heavy “ostrich” strategy of 2023 to a more calculated, high-stakes political game. Within the ADC hierarchy, Obi is said to wield significant influence, with competent sources asserting that he currently possesses greater financial capacity for a national campaign than any other contender, including Atiku Abubakar.
Despite his current involvement with the ADC, Peter Obi is reportedly taking no chances. Competent sources close to the former Anambra Governor reveal that he is acutely aware of the possibility that the ADC leadership may still favor Atiku Abubakar for the presidential ticket due to long-standing internal party structures.
Consequently, Obi has reportedly “sealed a deal” with the Action Peoples Party (APP) as a fallback option. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, should the ADC deny him the ticket, Obi is prepared to immediately defect to the APP to ensure his name remains on the 2027 presidential ballot.
Kwankwaso’s Imminent MoveSimultaneously, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is said to be finalized his transition to the ADC. His entry is expected to further complicate the race for the party’s nomination, creating a formidable “third force” coalition that could challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As these heavyweights jostle for position, political pundits warn that 2027 will be defined by “hardball politics” rather than sentiment. With Obi reportedly holding a dual-party strategy and Kwankwaso moving to consolidate Northern interests within the ADC, the coming months are set to determine the ultimate face of Nigeria’s unified opposition.
