Atiku Speaks On ADC Presidential Candidate He Would Support

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that leaders within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by former Senate President David Mark have agreed to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

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Atiku made the disclosure during an interview with DW Hausa, which went viral on Saturday, while addressing the ongoing leadership crisis within the opposition party.

The leadership dispute within the ADC intensified on Wednesday after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced it had de-recognised both factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, INEC said it would suspend engagement with either faction pending the determination of a case before the Federal High Court.

The commission said its decision was based on a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, directing parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute.

INEC also stated that it would not attend meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by either faction until the legal dispute is resolved.

Speaking during the interview, Atiku said stakeholders in the Mark-led faction had resolved to prioritise unity within the party.

“We promised that whoever got the ticket, we would support them. Now, there are only three or four people, but when we were contesting in the PDP, there were more than 10 of us,”

he said.

Since July 2025, when the Mark-led executives assumed leadership of the ADC, several prominent opposition figures have signalled interest in contesting the presidency on the party’s platform.

Among them are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Atiku also said the party is witnessing increasing participation by young Nigerians across various levels of political engagement.

He further stated, “Youth are dominating the party now. Whoever you see planning to contest, from councillor to state assembly, national assembly, and governor, they are all youth.

“We already said our party is for youth and women; we want to win and give it to them.”

Despite the recent leadership crisis, the former vice-president insisted that the situation has not weakened the party’s prospects.

According to him, the ADC is experiencing growing membership nationwide.

“People from every state are registering as members, and because of that, I don’t believe the events of two or three days ago have discouraged anyone at all,” he said.