ADC Clarifies Coalition Talks Not Centred on Atiku or Obi, Emphasises Focus on Nigeria’s Future

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed speculation that its ongoing coalition talks are centred around any particular political figure, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the discussions are focused on building a broad-based alliance aimed at securing Nigeria’s future, not promoting individual ambitions.

“The coalition has nothing to do with either Peter Obi or Atiku. They are just members like many others. The focus is not on them,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that while discussions about presidential ambitions may be common on social media, such conversations are not part of the coalition’s formal agenda.

When asked about the possibility of backing either Atiku or Obi, Abdullahi responded, “The party cannot align with one person and still call itself a party.

That’s what happened to many other parties in the past. We don’t have a preferred candidate. When the time comes, we’ll follow a democratic process and allow members to decide.”

He stressed that the ADC is currently focused on internal party growth and national mobilisation, not candidate selection.

“Our priority is growing the party and strengthening its structures across the country. Nobody is talking about a presidential candidate at the moment,” he said.

Abdullahi also revealed that the party is gaining traction in northern Nigeria, especially among former All Progressives Congress (APC) members who feel disillusioned with the ruling party.

“Many political leaders in the North who feel alienated by the APC have joined this coalition. The majority of our emerging leaders are from the North, and the region knows it doesn’t want the APC to continue in 2027, considering how they’ve been treated,” he said.

He criticised the current administration for what he described as hardship imposed on Nigerians and positioned the ADC as a viable alternative for the country.

“The ruling party is punishing the people. ADC wants to free Nigerians from that suffering. No one wants to go through this again for another four years,” Abdullahi concluded.