ADC Slams APC and PDP Over Early Zoning Talks for 2027 Presidency

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for beginning conversations on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets two years before the election.

ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, said the move reflected poorly on Nigeria’s political elite.

“The general election is still in 2027; it’s still two years away. Why are we so preoccupied and behaving in such a way that Nigerians begin to look at the political elite across divides as people who don’t care about them?” Abdullahi queried.

On Monday, the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining its chairmanship in the North.

Earlier in May, 22 APC governors and key party organs adopted President Bola Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for 2027.

Both parties defended their moves as consistent with Nigeria’s informal power rotation between North and South.

However, TIMES OF NIGERIA gathered from Abdullahi’s remarks that the ADC coalition – which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party flag bearer Peter Obi, and ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi – sees the early zoning as political gamesmanship.

“They are very experienced people, and they know the implications of showing their hand too early. Either they are playing a predetermined game or they are shopping for candidates,” Abdullahi argued.

He dismissed suggestions that the ADC was formed for a single candidate.

“When people say the coalition was put together for one man, that is not true. Atiku has said he will run; Obi and Amaechi are also interested. They all have equal chances within the coalition,” he said.

Abdullahi insisted the ADC was not under pressure.

“We are not bothered with what the PDP has done. Nigerians can see through it. For us, there are two parties today: APC, the ruling party, and ADC, the main opposition coalition.”

He confirmed the ADC has yet to begin zoning talks.

“We are not having that conversation now. Our priority is convincing Nigerians that we represent the true alternative that can bring respite to their sufferings.”