The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled the standards it will demand from presidential hopefuls aiming to run on its ticket in 2027.
At a recent meeting of its National Working Committee in Abuja, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark announced that candidates must satisfy the party’s “four‑pillar benchmark”: Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline.
Atiku and Jonathan in the Mix?
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, long an advocate of opposition unity since his 2023 defeat under the PDP, is widely seen as positioning himself for yet another presidential run, this time via the ADC.
His push for a broader coalition is viewed as an effort to lead a united front against the ruling APC.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Goodluck Jonathan.
Though he hasn’t made any public commitments, insiders suggest the ADC is quietly assessing Jonathan’s acceptability as a consensus candidate, especially given his strong influence among certain southern and northern blocs.
Just last week, Jonathan visited Mark at his Abuja residence. While the party insists the meeting was private, observers believe it may relate to ongoing 2027 strategy talks.
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the visit as informal, but the speculation persists.
Other Aspirants in the Frame
Former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have publicly declared intentions to vie for the presidency.
They’ve both pledged to serve only a single term and supported a North, South zoning formula, moves that could shape internal negotiations within the ADC coalition.
Speaking at the NWC meeting, Mark emphasized that ADC’s goals go beyond electoral victory:
“We will field only credible and viable candidates who meet our four‑pillar standard. Nigerians will accept nothing less.”
“Our mission is not just to gain power in 2027; it is to leave a legacy future generations will be proud of.”
He urged the party to build structures that outlast individuals, governed by rules, policies, and institutional integrity, not personalities or excitement.
To prepare for the 2027 contest, ADC has initiated key reforms to include: constitution review, code of ethics, membership registration, and structural strengthening at ward, local and state levels.
Committees have been established to oversee these tasks.
Although leaders such as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Tambuwal have shown alignment with the ADC-led coalition, none have formally defected.
The party earlier granted them temporary waivers to remain in their original parties during the August bye-elections.
However, sources say that waiver period is ending and formal registration is expected soon.
According to Abdullahi, the registration exercise marks “the transformation of a coalition into a functioning political movement”, a move many believe is crucial to ADC’s electoral strategy and internal cohesion heading into 2027.
