ADC Faction Rejects Atiku, Declares Chris Uba 2027 Presidential Candidate

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, on Wednesday rejected claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, insisting that it had concluded its internal processes and nominated Chris Uba as its flag bearer.

Restating its position, the faction declared that Atiku is not, and has never been, the ADC's presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued by its National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party said the clarification became necessary in the public interest and to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria's democratic process.

The faction also disowned a group allegedly operating under the leadership of David Mark, describing it as a self-styled body with no recognition within the party.

According to the statement, the group does not constitute any legitimate organ of the ADC and therefore lacks the constitutional and legal authority, including recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct congresses, primaries or take binding decisions on behalf of the party.

Gombe said the legitimate national leadership of the ADC is fully aware of sustained overtures and coordinated efforts by certain coalition elements to compel the party into political alliances with other platforms.

He stated categorically that the ADC is not in any form of alliance, merger or coalition with any other political party, describing it as an autonomous, ideologically grounded and self-reliant party committed to contesting all elections on its own merit, structure and manifesto.

He said that in strict compliance with the provisions of the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026, as guided by INEC, the party had lawfully concluded its internal processes and duly nominated its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, presenting Professor Chris Uba as its recognised flag bearer

He expressed the party's firm conviction that Uba possesses the requisite competence, capacity, character and national appeal to provide transformational leadership for Nigeria at this critical period in its history.

The leadership of the party issued what it described as a formal and final warning to Atiku Abubakar to desist immediately from holding himself out or parading himself as the ADC's presidential candidate.

Gombe said the party was founded on the principles of national renewal, inclusive governance and credible alternative leadership, stressing that it would not allow itself to be turned into a rental platform or a Special Purpose Vehicle for political opportunists, displaced individuals, or coalition actors seeking to leverage its structure for personal ambition.

He warned that the party would pursue all available legal and constitutional remedies to protect its identity and structure against what he described as unauthorised appropriation or misrepresentation.

The ADC also dismissed recent allegations of a plot to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general elections, describing such claims as baseless and unsupported by credible evidence.

The party reaffirmed its confidence in INEC and the country's constitutional and electoral framework, saying it would not be distracted by narratives intended to create panic or public confusion.

Gombe added that the ADC would not be reduced to an instrument of chaos, stressing that no individual or group would be permitted to exploit its platform to spread misinformation, incite civil disturbances or destabilise the polity in pursuit of selfish political objectives.

He said the party was fully prepared and strategically positioned for the 2027 general elections, and would field competent, qualified and credible candidates for all elective positions at the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, gubernatorial, state assembly and local government levels.

He therefore urged all genuine members, stakeholders, supporters, INEC, security agencies and the general public to remain calm, resolute and steadfast, advising that all persons be guided strictly by the party's official position and disregard any statements, announcements or actions emanating from unauthorised persons or factions.