South-West ADC leaders dismiss rift with Atiku, insist party remains united

By Haruna Salami

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-West have dismissed reports of a disagreement with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the party remains united ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders described claims that they had rejected Atiku’s presidential ambition in favour of Peter Obi as false, misleading and deliberately orchestrated to create division within the party.

Their position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the immediate past South-West Zonal Chairman of the ADC, Rasak Eyiowuawi, following a closed-door meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

They maintained that Atiku remains a respected leader of the ADC coalition, stressing that there is no disagreement over the party’s presidential ticket.

“There is no rift with Atiku Abubakar. We are one family in South-West ADC. Atiku remains our leader and father. We have no fight with him over ticket,” the statement read.

The leaders further described the ADC as the platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, warning against attempts to sow division within its ranks.

They urged supporters to disregard reports of internal disagreement, emphasizing that prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, remain part of the same political family.

“We are calling on all our supporters to disregard rumours of division in the ADC. Atiku is our leader, Peter Obi is our leader, Amaechi is our leader – we are all one. Our focus is to win 2027,” they stated.

The clarification comes amid reports that some South-West ADC leaders had rejected Atiku’s presidential ambition and endorsed Obi as the preferred candidate to represent the South in the 2027 presidential election.