The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the significance of recent off-cycle elections for its 2027 general election prospects, asserting that victories by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in by-elections and local polls do not predict the national political landscape two years from now.
National Treasurer Mani Ahmad made the statement on Tuesday during an interview on the ‘Morning Brief’ programme on Channels Television. His comments follow the conclusion of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and senatorial by-elections in Kano and Rivers States.
In the FCT Area Council polls, the APC secured control of five out of six area councils, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning only in Gwagwalada. The APC also won the concurrent by-elections for Senate seats in both Kano and Rivers States.
Ahmad, however, urged against interpreting these results as a definitive indicator for the 2027 elections. “If anybody expects that the results of these elections in the FCT, Rivers, and Kano would be our scorecard and that nothing will change in 2027, then they will be in for a big surprise,” he stated.
He outlined the party’s current strategy, saying, “Significant efforts are underway to unite the front team, integrate experienced individuals, and develop a clear strategy for winning future elections. The party and its members are dedicated to this objective.”
Analysts note that while by-elections and local government polls often serve as engagement tests and morale boosters for parties, their outcomes are influenced by distinct local factors, voter turnouts, and resources that differ significantly from national general elections. The ADC, which historically positioned itself as a third-force alternative, has faced challenges in translating previous grassroots support into widespread electoral success.
The party’s rejection of the recent results as a template signposts its intent to reorganize ahead of the 2027 polls. The focus now shifts to whether the ADC’s plans for unification and strategic positioning can alter the dynamics in a political space currently dominated by the APC and the opposition PDP.
