2027 Presidency: Atiku’s ADC Camp Divided Over Campaign Leadership as Reform Calls Intensify
2027 Presidency: Atiku’s ADC Camp Divided Over Campaign Leadership as Reform Calls Intensify
Fresh divisions have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the political camp of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over the leadership of his 2027 presidential campaign organisation, as political parties intensify preparations for the general elections.
The disagreement comes ahead of the August 19, 2026 commencement date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for presidential campaigns, with major political parties expected to finalise their campaign structures and strategies.
At the centre of the controversy is the choice between former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, for a leading role in Atiku’s presidential campaign.
Sources within the ADC indicated that Atiku and some members of the party’s National Working Committee are favourably disposed towards Tambuwal, who played a major organisational role in Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Supporters of Tambuwal reportedly believe his political experience, nationwide contacts and relationships across party lines could strengthen the ADC’s campaign machinery ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive presidential election.
However, another bloc within the party is pushing for Imoke, arguing that regional balance should be considered in the composition of the campaign leadership. With Atiku coming from the North, supporters of Imoke believe a prominent southern politician should occupy a strategic leadership position in the campaign.
The competing positions have reportedly presented a delicate challenge for ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, as party leaders seek a compromise that will prevent the disagreement from escalating into a wider internal crisis.
One possible arrangement being considered could see Tambuwal taking a major operational role in the campaign organisation while Imoke is assigned another senior position within the Presidential Campaign Council.
The ADC is also expected to convene a stakeholders’ meeting after the Osun State governorship election to finalise the membership of its Presidential Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Organisation.
The party leadership has reportedly begun compiling names for a broad-based campaign structure aimed at accommodating political interests from different parts of the country. ADC governorship candidates across the states are also expected to make nominations into the campaign organisation.
Atiku and his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, are expected to play significant roles in determining the composition of the campaign organisation, while the national leadership focuses on the broader Presidential Campaign Council.
The internal debate is unfolding as pressure mounts on presidential candidates and electoral authorities to strengthen transparency and public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged presidential candidates to voluntarily disclose their assets and liabilities and publicly commit themselves to rejecting vote-buying and other practices capable of undermining credible elections.
SERAP maintained that candidates seeking Nigeria’s highest political office should demonstrate transparency and accountability, arguing that voluntary asset declaration could help voters assess potential conflicts of interest and strengthen confidence in the democratic process.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, has called on INEC to consider conducting federal and state elections on the same day in 2027.
Dasuki argued that holding the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections simultaneously could reduce election-related costs, minimise economic disruption and limit repeated movement of voters, electoral officials and security personnel.
He also called for a review of provisions of the Electoral Act relating to ballot papers, warning that loopholes capable of compromising the integrity of elections should be addressed before Nigerians return to the polls.
As the campaign season approaches, attention will increasingly focus on how Atiku and the ADC resolve their internal leadership disagreement and build a united campaign structure capable of challenging other major political parties in the 2027 presidential race.
