Abuja – Fabiyi Oladimeji, deputy national financial secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and member of the party’s National Working Committee chaired by David Mark, told reporters on Thursday that the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso is not viable for the 2027 election. Oladimeji said only a coalition that pairs former vice‑president Atiku Abubakar with Obi could deliver the vote total the ADC needs to become a decisive force.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Oladimeji cited the 2023 general‑election results as evidence that an Obi/Kwankwaso ticket would fall short of the numbers required to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “Even Kwankwaso and Obi cannot give us the number, I am sorry to say this. The best number is Atiku and Obi,” he said.
He noted that the combined vote total for Obi, Kwankwaso and Atiku in the 2023 presidential race was roughly 14‑15 million, compared with about eight million for the incumbent president. “If these forces come together, Nigerians will see the difference,” Oladimeji added.
The ADC deputy financial secretary also referenced statements from other political leaders who have pledged support to the eventual winner of the primary contests. “Atiku has said he will support whoever emerges. Amaechi has said the same thing. We are expecting Peter Obi to also make that commitment because this is not about personal ambition; it is about rescuing the country,” Oladimeji said.
The ADC, a party that has struggled to break the dominance of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is looking to realign its strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election. By advocating a joint ticket between Atiku and Obi, party officials hope to consolidate opposition votes and present a credible alternative to the incumbent government.
Oladimeji’s remarks come as the ADC prepares for internal consultations to determine its official endorsement for the next election cycle. The party has not yet announced formal negotiations with either Atiku’s faction or Obi’s campaign, but the statement suggests a willingness to engage in coalition talks if they can produce the requisite electoral strength.
The emphasis on coalition‑building reflects a broader trend among Nigeria’s opposition parties, which have increasingly recognised that fragmented candidacies dilute their impact. Whether the ADC will secure an agreement with Atiku’s camp or pursue a different alignment remains to be seen, but the party’s leadership appears committed to pursuing a partnership that maximises its electoral prospects in 2027.
