With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition is reportedly shaping the internal structure of the African Democratic Congress while Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, is said to be struggling for influence.
Insiders within the ADC, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, alleged that Atiku financed efforts to take control of the party as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
A party source disclosed that most of the ADC’s state chapters, zonal bodies, and even its national leadership were now largely aligned with Atiku.
However, ADC interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, refuted claims that Atiku had taken over the coalition.
He insisted that the group remained united in its objective to dislodge Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress in the next election.
In contrast, APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the coalition, claiming it lacked the strength to defeat the ruling party.
Key figures within the ADC coalition, including 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Obi and former APC presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, have openly expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election against President Tinubu. Atiku also hinted at launching another bid for the Presidency.
Recall that on July 3, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, accused the David Mark-led interim ADC leadership of plotting Atiku candidacy.
Recently, on August 4, a leaked memo from the Obidient Movement to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, raised concerns about the alleged sidelining of its members from ADC’s major decision-making processes.
In a document dated July 29, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa, Obi’s group accused the coalition of marginalising its members despite their pivotal role in strengthening the political bloc.
Listing their grievances, Tanko cited lack of inclusion in major deliberations. When asked whether Obi’s loyalists were now being included, Yunusa described the situation as a work in progress.
In an interview with correspondents, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement stated that Obi would make a decision on whether to join the ADC at the right time, stressing that he is not struggling for relevance within the coalition setup.
He stated, “Obi is not struggling for relevance. As for vardy his loyalists along in the ADC, these are works in progress. It’s a work in progress.
On whether Obi will join ADC or not, he stated, “His Excellency Peter Obi has said that he’s joining the coalition for the 2027 general election. At the moment, he’s made it clear that he’s a member of the Labour Party. So, when that time comes, he will take his decision.”
A trusted insider within the ADC coalition disclosed that allies of Atiku who joined the party early have effectively seized control of the coalition.
