The African Democratic Congress has urged all presidential aspirants, delegates, and party members to maintain discipline and unity as it holds its presidential primaries today, Monday.
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi described the primaries as a “defining democratic moment” for both the party and Nigerians seeking a credible alternative to the APC and PDP.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria, because it is the only political party whose choice of Presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” Abdullahi said.
He urged aspirants, supporters, and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully and with dignity, saying the process must reflect the party’s stated values of transparency, internal democracy, national unity, and rule of law.
“At the end of this exercise, there will be no winners or losers within the ADC family. The ultimate objective is to emerge stronger, more united, and fully prepared to offer Nigerians the competent and credible leadership they deserve,” he added.
The party said measures are in place to ensure a free, fair, and credible process.
The primaries come as the ADC remains split between parallel leadership structures. A faction led by 2023 candidate Dumebi Kachikwu held its own convention on May 24 and adopted him as sole candidate for 2027. A rival faction under former Senate President David Mark conducted a separate convention months earlier and is pushing a broader opposition coalition that includes former VP Atiku Abubakar.
Today’s primaries are organized by the Mark-led faction, which claims control of the party’s national structure and INEC recognition. The outcome will test whether the group can present a unified candidate and consolidate opposition efforts ahead of 2027.
The ADC has positioned itself as an alternative to Nigeria’s two dominant parties, but internal divisions have repeatedly undermined its ability to gain national traction. How smoothly these primaries run will shape its credibility as a coalition platform.
