State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress have rejected calls to zone the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, urging instead an open and competitive primary capable of producing a credible and nationally acceptable candidate.
The chairmen warned that zoning the ticket could weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general election and undermine its growing status as a rallying point for opposition forces seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking separately with DAILY GAZETTE, the Chairman of the ADC State Chairmen Forum and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga; the forum’s Secretary and Edo State Chairman, Kennedy Odion; and the Adamawa State Chairman, Arabi Mustapha, insisted that competence, credibility and electability should outweigh geopolitical considerations.
Their intervention comes amid internal debates within the party following the influx of prominent political figures with presidential ambitions and renewed pressure from some blocs for the ticket to be zoned.
In July 2025, the ADC emerged as the platform for an opposition coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Since then, the party, led by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, has intensified efforts to strengthen its structures nationwide.
Several high-profile politicians have joined the party in recent months, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, further intensifying internal discussions over the mode of selecting the party’s flagbearer.
Some supporters of Obi have argued for zoning the ticket to the South, while Atiku’s allies and other stakeholders favour an open contest.
Ogga described zoning as counterproductive for a party aspiring to present itself as a national alternative.
“The process should be open to all. Whoever emerges through a transparent and credible primary should carry the ticket,” he said, adding that zoning would unnecessarily narrow the party’s options and alienate capable aspirants.
According to him, a free and fair primary would strengthen unity and legitimacy within the party, ensuring that all members rally behind the eventual candidate.
Odion echoed similar sentiments, warning that zoning prioritises sectional interests over national development.
“Zoning does not equate to competence. Restricting the ticket to one zone limits the pool of capable leaders and may compromise the party’s objective of rescuing Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the ADC must conduct primaries Nigerians can trust, noting that only a candidate with broad national appeal can effectively challenge the ruling party.
Mustapha also cautioned against zoning, saying it sends the wrong signal to voters and weakens national cohesion.
“The contest should be open to all qualified Nigerians. Zoning will do more harm than good and diminish our electoral prospects,” he said.
The chairmen collectively urged the party’s National Working Committee to guarantee an inclusive and transparent primary process that can produce a candidate capable of galvanising nationwide support in 2027.
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, is set to formally defect to the ADC today (Thursday) in Benin City, Edo State.
Momodu, a known ally of Atiku, is among opposition figures advocating a broad-based coalition to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The declaration is expected to take place at the new ADC State Secretariat, with party leaders and stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking ahead of the event, Momodu described his defection as a homecoming and urged Nigerians to rally around what he termed a rescue mission for the country’s democracy.
He called on citizens across party lines to unite against what he described as the growing threat to democratic governance, stressing that his decision was driven by national interest rather than personal ambition.
According to him, a fragmented opposition cannot defeat an incumbent government, adding that only a united front can safeguard democracy and honour the legacy of MKO Abiola.
