‘INEC-Level Logistics’ – ADC Admits It Wasn’t Ready for 2027 Nationwide Primaries

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has openly admitted that it was caught off guard by the sheer scale of logistics required to conduct nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the process as demanding what it calls “INEC-level logistics.”

In a candid interview on ARISE News, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confessed that while the ADC anticipated difficulties, the reality of organising a primary election across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory proved far more daunting than initial preparations had accounted for.

“We always knew it was going to be a challenge because it requires an INEC-level logistics to be able to do a nationwide election,” Abdullahi said. “And I must admit that it came to us more or less as a curveball; we weren’t prepared to do this. But when INEC imposed it on us as the only option aside from the consensus, then we had no choice but to brace up for it.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised its electoral guidelines ahead of the 2027 general elections, mandating that all political parties conduct direct or indirect primaries to nominate candidates—leaving consensus as the only alternative. According to Abdullahi, the ADC had hoped to lean heavily on internal consensus-building to avoid the logistical nightmare of a nationwide vote. However, when those consensus talks among the party’s presidential aspirants failed to produce a unanimous agreement, the ADC was forced to pivot to a full-scale primary. This shift, Abdullahi admitted, exposed significant gaps in the party’s organisational capacity. “It came to us more or less as a curveball,” he repeated for emphasis, underscoring how unprepared the opposition party was for the magnitude of the task.

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Rejecting suggestions that the party’s consensus arrangement had completely collapsed, Abdullahi provided a more nuanced explanation. He noted that even when a consensus is reached among aspirants, the Electoral Act still requires a national convention to formally affirm the outcome. “I would not use the word ‘collapse’ because it has its own dynamics. When you broker a consensus, it would still require you to do a convention to affirm the outcome of the consensus,” he stated. But he added a critical complication: “Some of the court situations that we have at the moment do not allow us to hold a convention.”

That court situation refers to the ongoing leadership crisis that has plagued the ADC. INEC had previously withdrawn recognition of the party’s leadership factions, citing a subsisting court order. The Commission refused to recognise either the faction led by Senator David Mark or the rival Nafiu Bala Gombe faction, leaving the party in a state of legal limbo. Despite this, Abdullahi maintained faith in the judiciary. “Regardless of what has happened in Nigeria, we still have confidence in the judiciary. We believe we have a slam-dunk case,” he told Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The ADC’s 2027 presidential primary has reportedly drawn three heavyweight contenders: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and prominent businessman and economist Hayatu-Deen Mohammed. What initially appeared to be a quiet attempt by influential stakeholders to produce a consensus candidate has since evolved into a full-scale political battle. Multiple meetings aimed at persuading one or two aspirants to step down have ended without resolution, forcing the party into the very nationwide primary it had hoped to avoid. Nevertheless, Abdullahi dismissed fears that the outcome could tear the African Democratic Congress apart. He noted that all three aspirants had committed to submitting themselves to the process. “The three gentlemen have committed to submit themselves to the primaries. We pride ourselves in the systems that we have put in place. And so far, we’ve not received any serious complaints about anything untoward,” he said.

Abdullahi took time to explain the ADC’s internal political culture, positioning it as fundamentally different from Nigeria’s dominant parties. He said the ADC deliberately avoids imposition, preferring persuasion, negotiation and debate. “The ADC is a party that prides itself in contestation, internal contestation of ideas, of positions. We don’t impose. In the ADC, we don’t direct, we don’t tell people what to do. We discuss, we negotiate, and we argue until we agree,” he explained. He acknowledged that this approach can make the party’s processes more difficult and time-consuming, but insisted it reflects the kind of political culture the ADC wants to present to Nigerians—one built on internal democracy rather than top-down directives.

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According to Abdullahi, the ADC should not be judged solely by the individual ambitions of its aspirants, but by its manifesto, ethical code, and internal principles. He revealed that all aspirants were required to sign up to the party’s ethical standards during screening. “The ADC is being deliberately designed as a party that is able to impose its authority on its members at all levels. We have our manifesto, we have our ethical principles and philosophy that each of these leaders, each of these aspirants at the point of screening had to sign, committing themselves to the ethical principles of the ADC,” he said. He also dismissed claims of a faction within the party, arguing that the term ‘faction’ carries specific legal and technical requirements that have not been met. “Faction is a technical term. For you to call a group of people a faction within a whole, certain qualities, certain qualifications, certain criteria have to be met,” Abdullahi said.

Looking beyond the primary process, Abdullahi outlined the party’s governance vision for 2027 and beyond. He said an ADC-led government would place citizens, not market forces, at the centre of governance. “We will put the people first. Every single policy of our government would be guided by one single question: How does it improve the livelihood of the people? How does it protect the people, and how does it make them live a better life? That’s the difference,” he assured. This vision aligns with a comprehensive governance blueprint recently unveiled by the ADC, which includes a “zero-impunity” governance model built on the rule of law, accountability, and performance audits; a shift away from Nigeria’s oil-reliant structure toward a production-driven economy; treating food security as a national security priority; declaring a state of emergency in education; and a multi-layered security framework combining local intelligence, decentralised policing, and national coordination.

Despite the ongoing leadership crisis and logistical challenges, Abdullahi reaffirmed the party’s determination to participate in the 2027 general election. He insisted that INEC’s derecognition of the party’s leadership will not derail its plans. “One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” he said. He then levelled a sharp accusation against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging they are attempting to weaken opposition parties in pursuit of a one-party state. “We in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are saying that Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will do everything within the law to resist it,” he said.

‘INEC-Level Logistics’ – ADC Admits It Wasn’t Ready for 2027 Nationwide Primaries

Atiku, Amaechi in Fierce Contest as ADC Picks Presidential Candidate Today

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday commenced its much-anticipated presidential primary election to select its candidate for the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for a major political showdown among former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

The primary, which is being conducted across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, comes after failed consensus talks among party stakeholders. Efforts by the party leadership to produce a single candidate reportedly collapsed after all three aspirants declined to step down, forcing the party to adopt the direct primary system in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The outcome of today’s exercise is expected to shape the future of the opposition coalition and determine who will carry the ADC’s flag into the high-stakes 2027 general election against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political analysts believe Atiku Abubakar enters the race as the leading contender due to his deep political structure, nationwide visibility, and decades of electoral experience. Since leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in late 2025, Atiku has played a central role in building the ADC as a formidable opposition platform. Working alongside former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, he has pushed for a broad-based opposition alliance to challenge President Tinubu in 2027.

Analysts say Atiku’s strongest advantage lies in his vast political network and his ability to mobilise delegates across regional blocs. However, his candidacy has also sparked debate within the party, with critics arguing that Nigeria may need a younger face and a fresh political direction after decades of recurring presidential bids.

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Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi is widely regarded as Atiku’s biggest challenger. The former transportation minister has built his campaign around his record in public service, particularly his role in expanding Nigeria’s railway infrastructure under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amaechi’s supporters insist that the presidency should remain in the South in line with Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement. They argue that his governance record, especially his performance as Rivers governor, gives him stronger reform credentials than his rivals. Amaechi has also repeatedly dismissed speculation that he could settle for a vice-presidential slot, insisting he is fully in the race to clinch the ADC ticket.

Despite his influence in southern political circles, analysts say his biggest hurdle remains expanding his support beyond his traditional power base to compete with Atiku’s nationwide political machinery.

For Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, today’s primary represents an opportunity to offer a technocratic alternative to Nigeria’s traditional political establishment. The economist and former banking executive has anchored his campaign on economic recovery, job creation, institutional reforms, and governance accountability.

He has consistently urged ADC members to reject what he described as “recycled politics,” insisting that competence and policy expertise should define the party’s choice. Hayatu-Deen recently gained momentum after securing the endorsement of the ADC South-West Professionals Forum, which described him as the aspirant best positioned to tackle Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis.

However, while his policy-driven campaign has attracted intellectual and professional support, political analysts say he still faces a major challenge in building the grassroots structure needed to defeat two established political heavyweights.

Today’s ADC presidential primary is widely viewed as a major test of the party’s internal democracy and ability to manage competing ambitions within its expanding opposition coalition. The winner will immediately face the task of uniting supporters of the defeated aspirants and presenting a formidable challenge in the 2027 presidential race.

Political stakeholders say the credibility of today’s process could significantly influence the ADC’s standing as a serious alternative platform for Nigerians seeking change in the next election cycle. With voting underway, attention now turns to whether the party will emerge stronger and more united after one of the most consequential opposition primaries in recent Nigerian political history.

Atiku, Amaechi in Fierce Contest as ADC Picks Presidential Candidate Today

Ireti Kingibe Hospitalized After Political Thugs Attack during ADC Primary in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has publicly detailed a harrowing violent attack she and several party officials endured during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Assembly primary elections in Abuja, an incident she has labeled a “premeditated ambush” . The lawmaker, who sustained acute head trauma , is now warning that political thuggery must not be allowed to replace democracy in Nigeria.

The chaos unfolded on Thursday at the ADC State Secretariat located in the Gudu district of Abuja, where Senator Kingibe had arrived to monitor the sorting and distribution of election materials for the party’s legislative primary contest. What began as a calm administrative process quickly descended into brutal violence when a politician identified as Tijani Mubarak arrived at the scene accompanied by a group of aggressive men.

According to Senator Kingibe’s detailed public account shared over the weekend, the situation spiraled out of control the moment the electoral committee chairman attempted to address the arriving team. The lawmaker recounted that “the moment he introduced himself, the Chairman asked if he was the individual who had been calling earlier in the day. Instantly, Mubarak became aggressively rude.” When the committee chairman refused to tolerate the rowdy behavior, the confrontation turned physical, with Kingibe stating that Mubarak “violently slapped the Chairman of the Committee” .

As violence erupted inside the secretariat office, a female aspirant seeking a legislative ticket attempted to document the breakdown of order using her mobile phone. However, her efforts were met with immediate force. In a disturbing update to her account, Senator Kingibe revealed that the female aspirant was violently grabbed and lifted entirely off the ground while the thugs wrestled her for the phone. Infuriated by her attempt to record the assault, Mubarak allegedly ordered his men to seize the device. The female aspirant was severely manhandled and only released after surrendering her phone, sustaining injuries to her hands during the struggle.

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The physical violence soon reached Senator Kingibe herself as the thugs took control of the administrative room. Recounting her own ordeal, the lawmaker stated that “one of Mubarak’s men turned on me… grabbed me, and flung me violently against the wall, hitting my head with severe force.” Following her rescue from the compound, Kingibe initially returned home and took painkillers, but her condition worsened dramatically, with symptoms including blurred vision and severe migraines. Medical doctors at Wuse General Hospital later confirmed that she had sustained acute head trauma from the impact against the wall.

To prevent any immediate rescue or intervention from outsiders, the invading group deliberately blocked all exit routes and locked the internal stakeholders inside the secretariat room. Senator Kingibe explained that “realising he was losing control of the room, Mubarak ran to the exit door, locked it, and trapped us inside with himself and his armed thugs.” The trapped party officials and the Senator remained imprisoned inside the locked office until an intense confrontation broke out on the building’s exterior. Outside supporters, recognizing the danger, launched a counter-offensive to breach the barricaded entrance and successfully rescued the injured occupants. Even after escaping the room, supporters had to shield Senator Kingibe and another woman, Dr. Fatima Goya, behind heavy furniture for their protection while violence continued outside the building.

However, a contradictory account has emerged from the accused politician. Ambassador Mubarak Ahmad Tijjani (also identified as Tijani Mubarak) has denied all allegations, claiming instead that he was the actual victim of the attack. In a statement released on Sunday, Tijjani insisted that he did not arrive with thugs nor did he attack anyone. He further alleged that the incident did not occur at an official ADC secretariat but rather at Senator Kingibe’s constituency office in Gudu, Abuja. Tijjani accused Kingibe’s camp of moving sensitive electoral materials to a private office instead of distributing them to designated ward centres, leaving delegates waiting for hours. “I happen to be a senatorial aspirant, and I went there to defend my mandate as a party member and as somebody who respects the law. Unfortunately, this is what came out of it,” Tijjani said. He added that he was treated at Cairo Hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and has submitted medical reports to both the police and party leadership.

In response to the attack, Senator Kingibe has formally escalated the matter to both party authorities and federal law enforcement, filing a criminal complaint at the Apo Police Division in Abuja. Demanding immediate state action against the perpetrators, she issued a strong appeal to top security chiefs, stating, “I call upon the Inspector General of Police and the FCT Police Commissioner to immediately order the arrest, thorough investigation, and swift prosecution” of all those involved.

Senator Kingibe also used the opportunity to strongly criticize the rising trend of targeted hostility against women in politics , asserting that “the barbaric manhandling of a female aspirant and the physical assault on my person will not be swept under the carpet.” Despite the severity of her head injuries and the trauma of the experience, the lawmaker maintained that she remains “unbowed” by the intimidation.

This violent episode follows a significant legal victory for Senator Kingibe just days prior. On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a suit seeking to prohibit the Senator from ADC activities following an alleged suspension by ward executives. Justice Peter Odo Lifu dismissed the case as “frivolous, baseless and unfounded,” imposing a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement reconciling the conflicting claims from both parties, and investigations are reportedly ongoing.

Ireti Kingibe Hospitalized After Political Thugs Attack during ADC Primary in Abuja