2027: ADC state chairmen oppose presidential ticket zoning

2027: ADC state chairmen oppose presidential ticket zoning

State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress have urged the party’s National Working Committee to jettison zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket and instead conduct an open, transparent and credible primary election capable of producing a widely acceptable candidate.

The chairmen, speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, warned that zoning would weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general election and undermine its emerging role as a coalition platform for opposition forces seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

The Chairman of the ADC Chairmen Forum and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga; the Forum’s Secretary and Edo State Chairman, Kennedy Odion; and the Adamawa State Chairman, Arabi Mustapha, all insisted that competence, credibility and electability—not geopolitical considerations—should guide the party’s choice of presidential candidate.

Their position comes amid growing internal debate within the ADC following the influx of high-profile politicians into the party and rising calls from different blocs for the presidential ticket to be zoned.

In July 2025, the ADC emerged as the coalition platform adopted by opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Since then, the party, under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, has intensified efforts to strengthen its national structures and expand its appeal.

Several prominent politicians have since joined the party with presidential ambitions, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in July, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in November, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on December 31. More aspirants are expected to declare their interest in the coming weeks.

This development has heightened disagreements among party stakeholders, with some Obi supporters advocating zoning of the ticket to the South, while Atiku’s allies and other party leaders favour an open contest.

Speaking on behalf of the state chairmen, Ogga said zoning would amount to self-sabotage for a party positioning itself as a national alternative.

“As a stakeholder, my opinion is simple: the process should be open to everyone. There should be no zoning. Whoever emerges through a free and fair contest should take the ticket,” he said.

“Zoning is a way of defeating yourself because it narrows your ambition to one section of the country and excludes other capable Nigerians. Our goal is to field the best candidate who can defeat President Tinubu and rescue Nigeria.”

Ogga stressed that an open primary would ensure legitimacy and unity within the party.

“Elections naturally produce winners and losers, but the process must be transparent and credible so that the outcome is accepted by all. Whoever wins should remain the party’s flagbearer with the full support of members,” he added.

Also speaking, Odion said zoning restricts the pool of qualified candidates and risks sacrificing national interest for sectional considerations.

“Zoning does not represent competence,” he said. “If a party restricts its presidential ticket to a particular zone, it limits the range of capable candidates and could compromise development and progress.

“The ADC is being looked upon as a rescue platform for Nigeria. If we get it wrong, it may take a long time before such an opportunity comes again. The focus should be on capacity, credibility and the ability to win elections.”

Odion added that the party must organise primaries that Nigerians can trust.

“We need a candidate with the confidence of the people. Zoning prioritises sectional interest over national interest. The best approach is to leave the contest open and allow the most competent candidate to emerge,” he said.

The Adamawa State Chairman, Mustapha, also warned that zoning would weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

“The contest should be open to all qualified Nigerians, regardless of geopolitical zone. Whoever wins through a free, fair and credible process should be supported by everyone,” he said.

“Zoning sends the wrong signal that we have already limited our options. It will do more harm than good and undermine national unity. The ADC must focus on competence, credibility and effective leadership.”

The state chairmen collectively called on the ADC leadership to ensure that its presidential primary process is inclusive and transparent, arguing that only such an approach would produce a candidate capable of galvanising national support and challenging the ruling party in 2027.

Meanwhile, a former presidential candidate, Mr Dele Momodu, will today (Thursday) formally defect to the ADC, marking his latest move in Nigeria’s fast-evolving opposition politics

Momodu, a political ally of  Atiku, is among prominent opposition figures pushing for a broad-based coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

The coalition effort, still in its formative stages, is drawing politicians from across party lines who argue that Nigeria requires a unified opposition platform to counter the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress and safeguard democratic governance.

The declaration event is scheduled to hold in Benin City, the Edo State capital, at the new ADC State Secretariat, with leading party officials and political stakeholders expected to attend.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the Ovation Magazine publisher expressed excitement ahead of his formal defection and urged Nigerians to rally around what he described as a rescue mission for the nation’s democracy.

He said, “It’s a homecoming for me because, as they say, all politics is local. Tomorrow (Thursday), I will formally join the ADC and, as a proud son of Edo State, I will be paying homage to our elders from the state, some of whom have already joined us in the ADC.

“Our leaders, including former governor John Oyegun and former federal lawmaker Yisa Braimoh, will be there. After the event, I will also visit my village to celebrate freedom with my people, many of whom have already identified with the ADC platform.”

Momodu said his defection aligns with the wider opposition effort to build a formidable coalition capable of challenging President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, noting that fragmented opposition parties stand little chance against an incumbent administration without a united front.

Against this backdrop, he called on Nigerians to rise above partisan loyalties in defence of democracy.

“I call on Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation, to join hands in shielding our beloved country from the emerging one-man dictatorship in Nigeria. We must protect the democracy won for us by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of blessed memory.

“So, whether you are in the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party or any other platform, we must come together to rescue democracy in Nigeria,” he added.

Momodu further stressed that his decision to join the ADC was not driven by personal ambition for elective office but by what he described as a higher national interest, insisting that democracy must be protected at all costs in the interest of the nation and its citizens.

- Punch Newspapers