Battle Lines Drawn: ADC Rejects Power Grab By Political Bigwigs Ahead Of 2027

Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a key figure in the emerging anti-Tinubu political coalition, has firmly rejected the idea that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will hand over its political structure to any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on the political programme Jigsaw aired on AIT and monitored in Abuja on Tuesday, Lukman emphasized that while the ADC welcomes credible personalities, the party will not compromise its organizational integrity for any high-profile politician.

This comes amid speculation that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi—who has reportedly expressed interest in the ADC ticket—may all be considering the party as a platform for their 2027 ambitions.

“We didn’t negotiate with just one individual. We engaged the full leadership of the ADC,” Lukman said. “We are making it clear to everyone that no aspirant will be handed control of the party’s structure. We aim to build a strong party that can regulate the conduct of both aspirants and elected officials.”

Lukman further clarified that thorough legal checks were conducted before the coalition adopted ADC as its platform, including consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and legal due diligence on party leadership and pending litigation.

“Some public concerns about litigations are outdated. INEC’s records show these issues were settled long ago,” he added. “We’ve also met multiple times with the entire National Working Committee of the ADC.”

He also revealed that Dumebi Kachikwu, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, had been expelled from the party along with 15 others. “By INEC’s records and the certified proceedings of ADC’s legitimate organs, Dumebi and others were expelled. We didn’t take this decision blindly,” he stated.

Lukman reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to partnership rather than takeover. “We are not hijacking the party. We are collaborating with its leadership, including the interim leadership led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, who will soon release reorganization guidelines for the states.”

He stressed that the coalition’s focus remains on building solid structures rather than prematurely endorsing candidates. “We’ve deliberately asked all aspirants to suspend the expression of their ambitions. This discipline has helped maintain unity.”

According to Lukman, the coalition’s goal is not simply to produce another presidential candidate, but to offer Nigerians a credible, accountable alternative to current political realities.

He also clarified that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) and ADC are initiatives of the same coalition. “We set up a special committee to ensure that, by 2027, Nigerians will have a real alternative. We will not allow Nigeria to become a one-party state,” he concluded.