As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has emerged as a focal point for political realignments and strategic mobilization, especially as it looks forward to unseating the current Tinubu-led APC administration out of power. Recently, a couple of high-profile meetings, party defections, and grassroots engagement have taken over the party as it signaled its offline and physical efforts to consolidate influence and prepare for the upcoming polls.
Online, especially on social media, this support is consolidated by a teeming youth enthusiasts who are majorly supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, both of whom have been touted to be the concensus candidates of the ADC for both president and vice-president respectively.
On Wednesday, former Vice President and ADC chieftain Atiku Abubakar visited the residence of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The two discussed the progress of the ADC and strategies for ensuring effective governance and national recovery.
According to Atiku’s official social media post, “We had quality discussions on the progress of our party, the ADC, and how we must continue the work to ensure good governance and recovery are achieved in good time for the people.”
Kwankwaso, who recently defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ADC, represents one of the party’s high-profile additions. His move underscores the ADC’s growing appeal among influential politicians seeking alternative platforms ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has also been at the center of political maneuvering. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, met with Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi, reportedly to persuade him to reconsider his imminent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, sources indicate that the governor is leaning toward joining the ADC.
Mohammed explained, “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked. We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the APC, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
Mohammed further highlighted the ADC as the most welcoming platform.
“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes”, he noted.
Beyond high-level discussions and defections, the ADC is also intensifying grassroots mobilization. Veteran actor and party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo led a delegation of the Enugu Polling Booths Vanguard to Atiku’s Abuja residence on Tuesday. The group, focused on safeguarding the integrity of votes in the 2027 elections, showcased cultural dance steps during the visit. Atiku shared the meeting on social media, emphasizing that credible elections require active citizen participation and that votes must be protected by those who cast them.
These gatherings and interactions demonstrate ADC’s dual strategy of fostering grassroots support while fortifying leadership ties. According to analysts, the party’s strategic placement could make it a strong candidate in the 2027 elections, especially since it draws prominent individuals like Kwankwaso and possibly Bala Mohammed. It also actively has a number of other prominent politicians in the area, such as Rotimi Amaechi, Dele Momodu, Rauf Aregbesola, and several others.
With elections just around the corner, the ADC appears determined to present itself as a well-organized alternative. Currently, the party struggles to get a validation from INEC due to an ongoing but suspended court course involving its leadership crisis which is divided between two factions namely the David Mark faction and the Nafir Bala faction, as the latter’s faction led a protest to INEC’s headquarters yesterday to challenge the authority of the former.
The ADC convention is slated for 14th of April, and by then, the party hoped to have positioned itself better for the general elections in 2027.
