ADC coalition ticket row will be settled by party delegates, says Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe, downplaying speculation of infighting among top aspirants
The ADC coalition ticket row will be decided by party delegates, not by speculation or political noise, according to Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Also read: Between APC and ADC: Whither the masses
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV, Ibe dismissed rumours of an implosion within the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), following the declaration of presidential ambition by opposition heavyweights Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi on the party’s platform.
The coalition was recently launched by opposition figures, including Atiku, with a shared goal to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
While Atiku is yet to formally declare his intention to contest, speculations abound given his long-standing presidential ambition and his role in spearheading the coalition.
The declarations by Obi and Amaechi, however, have reportedly stirred anxiety among their supporters and fuelled claims of looming division in the party.
Ibe, however, played down such concerns, insisting that the ADC coalition ticket row is nothing unusual in a democratic environment.
“Between what Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Amaechi says, ultimately, democracy has worked,” he stated.
All of these two fighting or three fighting will be settled by the delegates.
“It is the delegates of the party, whether it is a direct or indirect primary, they are the ones who are going to determine the fate of these leaders.”
He further explained that what some perceive as internal strife is merely the expression of support from party loyalists jostling for their candidates.
“All of these two fighting or three fighting will be settled by the delegates,” he added.
When asked if such tensions were not contrary to the founding spirit of the coalition, Ibe pointed to democratic norms.
“That is the nature of democracy. Maybe it’s because of the fact that we lost the essence of what democracy is all about because of what Tinubu and his administration has been doing. Everybody is being railroaded into a one-party state. It’s about choice. People have the right to choose,” he said.
He urged supporters to continue canvassing support for their preferred aspirants while respecting the party’s internal processes.
“Let the campaigns go on. Let the delegates decide. That is what democracy prescribes, and that is what we all signed up for,” he concluded.
Also read: APC, ADC: Spot the difference!
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, the ADC coalition ticket row remains a key flashpoint to watch, especially given the calibre of aspirants now competing under the same political roof.
