Politics
2027: We won’t jump from 3 to 30, ADC mocks APC over primary figures
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has opened its presidential primary election with a mocking swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, declaring that unlike others, it would not ‘jump from 3 to 30 or from 500 to 1000’ while counting votes ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party used the commencement of its nationwide primary to portray itself as a rare example of competitive internal democracy at a time when many Nigerians believe presidential candidates are increasingly being produced through backroom deals rather than open contests.
Chairman of the ADC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, Chief Ikechi Emenike, alongside the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, spoke on Monday in Abuja as voting commenced across the country to determine the party’s presidential candidate.
The race pits former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as well as economist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Emenike said: “At a time when democratic values are increasingly being degraded within the nation’s political landscape, the ADC proudly stands out as the only political party in Nigeria presently demonstrating a genuine commitment to transparent, inclusive and democratic principles in the selection of its presidential candidate.
“Our aspirants are genuine presidential contenders, not some shadowy candidate contrived to confer legitimacy on a process where one man contested against himself.
“And as you would have seen, we know how to count properly and arithmetically. We are ADC. We will not inflate our registration numbers to deceive Nigerians. And when counting votes, we will not jump from 3 to 30 or from 500 to 1000.”
He said party members were already voting nationwide and urged them to ensure that only genuine figures were recorded during the exercise.
Meanwhile, the party spokesman, Abdullahi, insisted that the ADC remained the only party currently conducting what he described as a genuinely competitive presidential primary.
He said: “We are very proud that we are the only party conducting a real primary election in this country today. Even as we speak, none of the three aspirants can confidently tell you that he will fly the ticket of the African Democratic Congress.
“We are proud that we are giving Nigerians a truly competitive internal democratic process.”
The ADC spokesman also dismissed a rival faction that reportedly held separate congresses and announced Dumebi Kachikwu as the party’s presidential candidate.
He said: “If you go through the process with the Independent National Electoral Commission, leadership of the African Democratic Congress is not a matter for speculation. There are laid-down procedures within the organisation. There are specific processes you must go through and requirements you must meet.
“You need to submit a membership register. You need to provide details of your state officers. If you are conducting congresses, you must notify INEC and provide details across the states so the commission can monitor the process. They are expected to witness the congresses, monitor the results and supervise the entire exercise. All these processes have already started.
“So, for this issue to suddenly surface in Abuja on Sunday, we are left wondering what exactly is going on.
“This matter went up to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. It affirmed that there is only one leadership under former Senate President David Mark and former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.”
On party membership strength, Abdullahi said the ADC had 3,444,000 registered members based on records submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“We are building a political party that is based on certain principles, one of which is transparency. So the number I have given you can be verified with INEC, and you will find it exactly as stated,” he said.
Abdullahi, however, returned to his criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing it of inflating membership figures ahead of the 2027 election.
He said: “What the APC is doing is amusing and laughable. They are simply setting the stage for the rigging of the 2027 election.
“By claiming that they have 20 million or 30 million members, they are trying to plant in people’s minds the idea that at least 11 million votes are already guaranteed. It is all lies.”
Also speaking, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, said the ADC had put in place what he described as a meticulous process to ensure credible primaries across all elective positions.
“The process we have put in place is aimed at ensuring that the best candidates emerge,” he said.
On the role of INEC, Idigo said the commission had been formally notified and was monitoring the presidential primary nationwide.
He said: “We gave INEC the required notices and ensured that it attended all our primaries, from the state assembly to the governorship primaries.
“And reports reaching us today indicate that the presidential primaries are also being supervised by INEC across the federation.”
…Says Makinde Already Gasping for Breath Politically in Oyo
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has described as laughable the call by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside for its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, saying the party should first demonstrate that it possesses the national structure and political strength required to mount a serious presidential challenge.
The Campaign Organisation disclosed this in a statement sying it was the height of political hallucination for the APM to speak as though the presidency of Nigeria could be secured through press statements and political theatrics rather than through nationwide organisation and electoral support.
“Declaring an ambition is one thing; building the political structure required to prosecute a nationwide presidential election is another entirely.
“The APM should tell Nigerians how extensive its electoral structures are across the federation and demonstrate its capacity to compete effectively across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“It must have candidates across various elective positions in at least one third of the country to show seriousness.
“But can we blame the APM spokesperson for issuing a press statement at the end of the month in a subtle reminder to his hirers that his salary is due for payment?
“More importantly, even Governor Seyi Makinde, whom the APM now parades as its presidential candidate, has serious political battles to fight in his home state of Oyo. In fact, he is gasping for breath politically in the state.
“A man seeking to conquer Nigeria must first demonstrate compelling political strength on his own turf. Charity, as the saying goes, begins at home,” the statement said.
The 2027 presidential election will not be decided by who issues the loudest press statement. It will be determined by Nigerians.
President Tinubu is seeking another mandate on the platform of a party with an established nationwide organisation and on a track record that is solid and acknowledged internationally.
“For Governor Makinde, however, that national ambition does not erase the political contest unfolding back home in Oyo State.
“The APM should therefore prepare for the verdict of the electorate rather than behave as though political power can be transferred by proclamation.
“The presidency of Nigeria is neither inherited nor surrendered on demand. It is contested for and determined by the Nigerian people at the ballot box.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to inaugurate and lead the campaign machinery in Abuja and Rivers State to drive the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike disclosed this in Chikuku, Abuja on Friday, after he inspected the ongoing construction of Phase two of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project.
He added that he would personally lead the campaign effort within the nation’s capital and extend the re-election operations to his home state of Rivers.
According to him, political parties across the spectrum are organising their ranks, and supporters of the President are fully prepared to initiate an aggressive campaign.
“The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I believe, is putting itself together for an aggressive campaign.
“For us who are supporting Mr President from different political platforms, we have put our machinery ready to fully kickstart.
“Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, which I will lead. All elements of the APC are ready, Mr President is ready, we are ready and you can see the enthusiasm.”
Addressing critics and political opponents, Wike argued that visible development projects would serve as the main driver for electoral support in the FCT, dismissing allegations of electoral malpractice ahead of time.
“People are happy, and I don’t know who will contest against Mr President as far as this election is concerned.
“This is governance, and this is what people expect. It will translate directly into actual votes,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that the administration’s infrastructure record would secure victory across board in the FCT, including support for Sen. Philip Aduda and the two House of Representatives seats.
“It is very obvious. Nobody will be able to claim rigging in the FCT. The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are delivering, making the people happy,” Wike said.
Commending both the contractor and site engineers for the progress recorded so far, the minister assured stakeholders that adequate funding would be disbursed to guarantee completion by December.
“This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is,” he said.
Wike emphasised that delivering functional infrastructure remains the cornerstone of good governance and public satisfaction.
“You can imagine the enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we say the essence of governance is to make people happy.
“When the people are happy, those in authority are happy,” he added, expressing gratitude to Tinubu for providing sustained support for capital projects in the territory.
The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director, Strategic Communications of the council, Phrank Shaibu, who is also Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
According to the statement, the council was structured to reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians, including rising food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for translating the council’s strategy into coordinated action.
Six Deputy Directors-General will superintend the council’s operational directorates, working alongside 30 directors assigned specific portfolios.
Campaign principals
Presidential candidate: Atiku Abubakar
Vice-presidential candidate: Rotimi Amaechi
National Chairman: Senator David Mark
Council Chairman: Kashim Ibrahim-Imam
Deputy Chairman: Nasir El-Rufai
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Senator Austin Akobundu
Campaign Advisory Board
Chairman: John Oyegun
Deputy Chairman: Lawal Batagarawa
Secretary: Eyitayo Jegede, SAN
Members: Senator Ireti Kingibe, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed
Policy Team
Chairman: Mohammed Hayatudeen
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Mohammed Sagagi
Members: Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Senator Abdul Ningi
Secretary: Aare Aremijoye
Senior Campaign Advisors
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Senator Patricia Akwashiki
Campaign Management Committee
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Austin Akobundu
Head, Research and Documentation: CID Maduabum
Head, Legal Services: Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN
Administration Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Yusuf Suleiman. Units: Administration (Dr Ajuji Ahmed), General Services (Abubakar Kanike), Special Duties (Dr Nicholas Msheliza), Finance and Accounts (Abdussamad Dasuki), Logistics (Prof. Gold Emmanuel), Head of Protocol (Prof. Onyi Nwagbara), Medical Services (Dr Amina Mohammed).
Operations Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Chief Ralph Nwosu. Units: Organisation and Field Operations (Abdullahi Maibasira), Strategy and Planning (Mohammed Kumalia), Security (retired Gen. Kabiru G. Nadama), Diaspora and Foreign Operations (Nnena Ukeje). Intelligence head left blank on the chart.
Media and Communications Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Dele Momodu. Units: Strategic Communication (Phrank Shaibu), Media and Publicity (Kola Ologbondiyan), Branding (Ladan Salihu), Digital and Online Media (Moji Rhodes-Vivour), Content Development (David Iyofor). Spokespersons: Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala, Alh. Dahiru Maishanu. Campaign MC: Chief Charles Ojugbana.
Contact and Mobilisation Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Senator Dino Melaye. Units: Mandate Protection (Solomon Dalung), Women Mobilisation (Naomi Labari), Persons with Disabilities (Dr Chike Okogwu), Stakeholder Engagement (Oladimeji Fabiyi), Youth Mobilisation (Balarabe Rufai).
Diversity and Support Groups Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Salihu Tanko Yakasai. Units: Support Groups (Aliyu Audu), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (Rhoda Sanda), Business and Professional Bodies (Hafiz Bayero), Gender Issues (Zainab Buba Galadima), Entertainment and Creative Industry (Dr Don Pedro Obaseki).
Technical and Systems Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Lauretta Onochie. Units: Election Operations and Management (Chille Igbawua), Polling Unit Operations (Ezeokolie Blessing Jack), Voter Intelligence (Dr Alex Adum), Monitoring and Evaluation (Prof. Ola Olateju), Situation Room (Chief Teddy Ezeaghauche).
Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the council’s success would be measured by how clearly it addressed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
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