ABUJA — Fresh trouble has hit the presidential campaign of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following revelations that its flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is facing a severe crisis in securing a credible running mate from Southern Nigeria.
The development, leaked by political insiders on Saturday, indicates that prominent Southern political figures are systematically turning down or avoiding invitations to join Atiku on the ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rejection wave highlights Atiku’s shrinking national appeal and underscores the deep anxieties Southern leaders hold regarding his octogenarian status and controversial regional ambitions.
The Deserted Ticket: Why Southern Leaders Are Running Away
Insiders reveal that Atiku’s camp has quietly reached out to several high-profile politicians, technocrats, and regional champions across the South-West, South-South, and South-East geopolitical zones. However, the responses have been overwhelmingly cold.
Political analysts point out major reasons behind this avoidance:
- The Rotational Principle: Many frontline Southern politicians refuse to validate a northern presidency that breaks the informal North-South rotation agreement. Accepting the slot is viewed as political suicide within their home regions.
- The NDC Juggernaut: With the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) gaining massive momentum through the alliance of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, Southern heavyweights prefer to align with a fresh, competitive structure rather than an establishment ticket.
- The Kenneth Okonkwo Speculation: The desperation in the ADC camp has grown so severe that names like veteran actor and political commentator Kenneth Okonkwo are now being floated in public spaces as alternatives to fill the widening void.
A Desperate Campaign Plagued by Isolation
The inability to lock down a credible Southern running mate deals a massive blow to Atiku’s handlers, who have spent months attempting to rebrand the former Vice President as a pan-Nigerian unifier.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leverages state power and the opposition NDC consolidates a robust cross-regional base, the ADC is increasingly looking like an isolated northern platform.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadlines for candidate submissions drawing closer, Atiku’s inability to find a willing partner from the South exposes the terminal structural weakness of his latest presidential bid.
