The convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Umar Ardo, has suggested that Peter Obi may not secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for 2027 unless former Vice President Atiku Abubakar voluntarily steps aside.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Ardo described Atiku as the undisputed front-runner for the ADC ticket, stating:
“Well, the ADC, as it is currently constituted, if it goes for primaries a hundred times, Atiku will win a hundred times. There is absolutely no doubt about that. How Peter Obi and his supporters react is what will determine the election.”
He clarified that Obi’s candidacy remains possible, but only if Atiku steps down willingly.
“I am not saying that Peter Obi cannot be the candidate of the party; however, he can only be the candidate of the party if Atiku steps down,” Ardo said.
Despite this, Ardo acknowledged Obi’s political influence, noting that the former Anambra governor “controls more than six million votes,” making him a valuable asset for the ADC.
“The ADC wants him there to make the party strong so that the party will win the election in 2027,” he added.
Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, officially joined the ADC in December 2025 after months of negotiations with party leaders. At the December 31 event in Enugu, he framed the move as a fresh start for national development:
“Today is an important day; today is the last day of 2025, so we are ending this year with the hope that, in 2026, we will begin a journey of the rescue of our country for proper socio-economic development that will be unifying and inclusive.”
Obi also criticized attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy:
“We have all watched those who benefited from our democracy become accessories to destroying our democracy, either through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to happen; we will resist it.”
Other notable figures in the ADC opposition coalition include former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark, among others. The coalition last year selected the ADC as its platform for the 2027 elections.
