ADC Crisis Deepens: Faction Rejects Atiku Abubakar, Declares Chris Uba 2027 Presidential Candidate

ADC Crisis Deepens: Faction Rejects Atiku Abubakar, Declares Chris Uba 2027 Presidential Candidate

A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) African Democratic Congress after a faction of the party categorically rejected claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Atiku Abubakar is its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Instead, the faction, led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe Nafiu Bala Gombe, announced that Professor Chris Uba Chris Uba has already emerged as the party's duly nominated presidential flag bearer.

The declaration adds another layer of uncertainty to Nigeria's evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

ADC Denies Atiku's Candidacy

In an official statement released on Wednesday, Gombe insisted that Atiku "is not, and has never been," the presidential candidate of the ADC.

According to him, the party has successfully completed all constitutional and electoral procedures required for nominating its presidential candidate in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He stressed that Professor Chris Uba remains the only recognized presidential candidate of the faction.

Faction Rejects David Mark-Led Coalition

The faction also distanced itself from a group allegedly operating under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark David Mark.

According to the statement, the group is not recognized by the ADC and lacks both constitutional and legal authority to conduct congresses, organize party primaries, or make binding decisions on behalf of the party.

The leadership described the group as a "self-styled faction" with no official recognition.

'ADC Is Not Part of Any Coalition'

The faction further dismissed reports suggesting the ADC has entered into any alliance or merger with other political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Gombe, the party remains independent and committed to contesting elections solely on the strength of its own manifesto, political structure, and ideology.

He said attempts by coalition groups to pressure the party into political alliances would not succeed.

Warning Issued to Atiku Abubakar

In one of the strongest parts of the statement, the faction issued what it described as a formal and final warning to Atiku Abubakar.

The party urged the former vice president to immediately stop presenting himself as the ADC's presidential candidate, insisting that such claims are false and unauthorized.

According to the leadership, the ADC was established to provide credible alternative leadership for Nigerians—not to serve as a platform for politicians pursuing personal ambitions.

Legal Action May Follow

The faction warned that it is prepared to explore every constitutional and legal avenue available to protect the party's identity, leadership, and structure from what it called unauthorized appropriation.

It maintained that any individual or group falsely claiming authority over the party risks legal consequences.

ADC Dismisses Claims of Election Exclusion

The party also rejected recent allegations that there is a coordinated plot to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections.

Describing such reports as baseless, the leadership reaffirmed its confidence in the electoral process and in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The statement noted that the party would not be distracted by narratives designed to create confusion or panic among Nigerians.

ADC Declares Readiness for 2027 Elections

Despite the ongoing leadership dispute, the faction insisted it is fully prepared for the 2027 general elections.

It announced plans to field candidates for every elective office, including:

President

Governor

Senator

House of Representatives

State House of Assembly

Local Government positions

The leadership also urged party members, supporters, INEC, security agencies, and the Nigerian public to rely only on official communications from the recognized party leadership.

What This Means for Nigeria's 2027 Elections

The latest development highlights the growing internal divisions within the ADC as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections.

With competing factions making conflicting claims about the party's leadership and presidential ticket, observers believe the dispute could eventually require judicial interpretation or regulatory clarification before the election season intensifies.

For now, the faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe insists that Professor Chris Uba—not Atiku Abubakar—is the African Democratic Congress' legitimate presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

ADC crisis, Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uba, ADC presidential candidate 2027, Nafiu Bala Gombe, David Mark ADC, Nigeria 2027 election, INEC, African Democratic Congress news, Nigerian politics.