The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked supporters
of the party’s presidential aspirants to desist from divisive politics.
Top members of the opposition party, including former
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, ex-governor of Anambra, have
hinted at the possibility of contesting the presidency in the 2027 elections.
Recently, supporters of declared ADC presidential hopefuls
have expressed differing views on zoning, with many Obi backers calling for the
ticket to go to the south, while most Atiku supporters advocate an open
contest.
However, during an interactive X Space on Saturday, Bolaji
Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, asked the party supporters to back
all presidential aspirants collectively.
The former minister of sports and youth development also
emphasised that unity is crucial for the party’s success.
“Those supporting this divisiveness among supporters of any
of the aspirants should stop what they are doing because they are clearly
working to the advantage of the APC and President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
“Saying it is either this candidate or nothing is not
helpful because getting the ticket alone means nothing.
“What is important is winning the election, and we cannot
carry this divisiveness and expect to win.”
Abdullahi added that the party would strengthen cohesion and
encourage its leaders to promote unity among aspirants.
“We believe that all our aspirants are eminently qualified,
and vilifying anybody or any region is not helpful and will only make things
more difficult,” he said.
“We are going to commence the process of strengthening unity
and having our leaders speak with one voice.
“We are going to ignore people creating a sense of
exceptionality and focus on what we are doing because we want to win this
election.
“Those shouting ‘Obi or nothing’ are equally not helping
him. They are preaching division, and they are not selling him. They are not
providing room for people from other places to support him.
“They should stop making others take hard stances because
everyone needs to be on board for us to win this election.”
On January 20, the former vice-president cautioned
supporters of opposition leaders against trading insults, warning that such
attacks only benefit the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said anyone who insults Obi or himself does not have the
interests of the coalition or Nigerians at heart.
On January 6, Abubakar said no ADC presidential aspirant
would withdraw ahead of the 2027 polls, adding that all qualified aspirants
would “present themselves freely” when the party begins its selection process.
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