The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has signaled a strategic shift in its approach to selecting a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, indicating a preference for consensus while ruling out indirect primaries.
This position was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an appearance on One-on-One aired on Arise TV on Saturday.
Abdullahi explained that the party is currently considering two viable pathways for producing its presidential flagbearer: direct primaries and a consensus arrangement. According to him, indirect primaries—once a common feature in Nigeria’s party nomination processes—have effectively been eliminated as an option due to provisions in the amended Electoral Act 2022.
He noted that the ADC is inclined toward consensus as a means of fostering internal unity and minimizing post-primary disputes, a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, he clarified that the final decision would depend on consultations within party structures and the broader interests of stakeholders.
“The party is exploring consensus as a practical option,” Abdullahi said, emphasizing that such an approach, if successfully implemented, could strengthen cohesion ahead of the high-stakes 2027 election.
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The ADC’s move reflects a growing trend among political parties seeking to streamline candidate selection processes while complying with evolving electoral regulations. By narrowing its options to direct primaries and consensus, the party appears to be positioning itself for a less contentious and more strategically aligned campaign season.
Political observers note that the success of a consensus arrangement will depend largely on the party’s ability to manage competing ambitions among aspirants and build broad-based agreement around a single candidate.
As preparations for 2027 gradually gather momentum, the ADC’s internal decision-making process is expected to be closely watched as a test of its organizational maturity and electoral readiness.
