2027: Atiku Will Win ADC Primary If He Contests — Umar Ardo

Convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Umar Ardo, has declared that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would emerge victorious in the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if he decides to contest.

Ardo made the assertion on Friday while speaking on Focus Nigeria, a programme aired on the African Independent Television (AIT), noting that he had analysed possible scenarios ahead of the party’s primary election.

While acknowledging that discussions around a consensus candidate could arise within the party, Ardo said such an arrangement would be difficult to achieve, as it would require key contenders to step down.

According to him, major aspirants including Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi would have to relinquish their ambitions, a move he described as unlikely given their strong political support bases.

“Consensus will only be feasible if major aspirants willingly relinquish their ambitions in favour of a single candidate. This could prove difficult given the political realities and the strong support bases of those involved,” he said.

Ardo further explained that any consensus arrangement would require not only Obi and Amaechi but also Atiku and other aspirants to step aside for a single candidate.

He added that supporters of Obi, popularly known as the “Obidient Movement,” would strongly resist any move for him to withdraw from the race, even though the former Anambra State governor might consider such a decision under certain conditions.

The northern political figure also expressed the view that while Atiku’s supporters might accept a consensus arrangement, the former Vice President himself is unlikely to step down.

Ardo maintained that if all aspirants proceed to contest the primary election, Atiku stands a clear chance of clinching the party’s ticket, regardless of whether the process is conducted through direct primaries or by delegates.

“If all of them go into the primaries, then Atiku will win, be it by delegates or direct primaries. Atiku will 100 percent win the primaries, even if they are conducted multiple times,” he stated.

His remarks come amid ongoing political realignments and speculations over possible alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key political actors weighing their options across party lines.

The ADC is yet to officially release its timetable for the presidential primary, as consultations among stakeholders continue.