APC Member Warns ADC Over Rotation Convention Breach

Osita Okechukwu, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, said the Independent National Electoral Commission’s rejection of the Tanimu Turaki‑led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) serves as a warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the rejection as “karma finally taken home,” suggesting that the PDP’s internal conflicts have led to its current turmoil.

The former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria cautioned the ADC to beware of a similar fate in 2027, noting that the party may be violating the rotation convention—a principle that underpins Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and is intended to ensure national unity in a fragile, polarized polity. Okechukwu warned that breaching this convention could have severe consequences for the ADC, just as it has for the PDP.

He recalled past instances when the PDP denied prominent southern candidates the presidential ticket, dating back to the 1999 election. He cited the cases of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Rt. Hon. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, and Rt. Hon. Edwin Umezoke, among others, as evidence of the PDP’s disregard for the rotation convention and the resulting repercussions.

Okechukwu emphasized that the PDP’s leadership should take responsibility for the party’s implosion rather than blame external factors. He warned that the ADC is on a similar trajectory, assuming northern voters will automatically support its candidates without considering the implications of breaching the rotation convention. He questioned this assumption, pointing out the sophistication of northern voters and their potential to reject parties that ignore the convention.

The INEC’s rejection of the PDP’s National Working Committee has significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape. As the country approaches future elections, the ADC would do well to heed Okechukwu’s warning and consider the potential consequences of violating the rotation convention. The stability of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and the effectiveness of its political institutions depend on adherence to this convention, which ensures inclusion, equity, and a sense of belonging among the nation’s diverse population.