State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have called on the party’s National Working Committee to abandon zoning for the 2027 presidential ticket and instead conduct an open, transparent, and credible primary capable of producing a candidate acceptable to all Nigerians.

The chairmen warned that zoning could weaken the party’s electoral prospects and undermine its emerging role as a coalition platform for opposition forces seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

Kingsley Ogga, Chairman of the ADC Chairmen Forum and Kogi State Chairman; Kennedy Odion, Forum Secretary and Edo State Chairman; and Arabi Mustapha, Adamawa State Chairman, emphasized that competence, credibility, and electability—not geopolitical considerations—should guide the party’s choice of presidential candidate.

Their statement comes amid growing internal debates within the ADC following an influx of high-profile politicians into the party and rising calls from various factions for the presidential ticket to be zoned.

In July 2025, the ADC became the coalition platform adopted by opposition leaders aiming to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the party has been strengthening its national structures and expanding its appeal.

Prominent politicians who have joined the party with presidential ambitions include former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (July), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (November), and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (December 31). More aspirants are expected to declare in the coming weeks.

The growing competition has intensified disagreements among party stakeholders, with some advocating zoning of the ticket to the South for Obi, while others, including Atiku’s supporters, favour an open contest.

Ogga said zoning would amount to self-sabotage for a party positioning itself as a national alternative.

“The process should be open to everyone. There should be no zoning. Whoever emerges through a free and fair contest should take the ticket,” he said.

“Zoning narrows your ambition to one region and excludes capable Nigerians. Our goal is to field the best candidate who can defeat President Tinubu and rescue Nigeria.”

Ogga stressed that an open primary would promote legitimacy and unity within the party.

“Elections naturally produce winners and losers, but the process must be transparent and credible so the outcome is accepted by all. Whoever wins should receive full support from party members,” he added.

Odion noted that zoning limits the pool of qualified candidates and sacrifices national interest for sectional considerations.

“Zoning does not represent competence. It restricts capable candidates and could compromise development and progress. The ADC is being looked upon as a rescue platform for Nigeria. If we get it wrong, it may take a long time before such an opportunity arises again. The focus should be on capacity, credibility, and the ability to win elections,” he said.

He added that primaries must be organised in a manner Nigerians can trust.

“We need a candidate with the confidence of the people. Zoning prioritises sectional interest over national interest. The best approach is to leave the contest open and allow the most competent candidate to emerge,” Odion said.

Mustapha warned that zoning would weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

“The contest should be open to all qualified Nigerians, regardless of zone. Whoever wins through a free, fair, and credible process should be supported by everyone. Zoning sends the wrong signal and could undermine national unity. The ADC must prioritise competence, credibility, and effective leadership,” he said.

Collectively, the state chairmen urged the ADC leadership to ensure its presidential primary is inclusive and transparent, arguing that only such an approach would produce a candidate capable of galvanising national support and challenging the ruling party in 2027.

Dele Momodu to Join ADC

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Dele Momodu is set to formally join the ADC, marking another significant move in Nigeria’s evolving opposition politics.

Momodu, a political ally of Atiku Abubakar, is among opposition figures advocating for a broad-based coalition to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. The coalition, still in its formative stages, draws politicians across party lines who argue that Nigeria needs a unified opposition platform to counter the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress and safeguard democratic governance.

The declaration event will hold in Benin City, Edo State, at the new ADC State Secretariat, with party leaders and political stakeholders expected to attend.

Momodu expressed excitement about the move and urged Nigerians to rally behind what he described as a “rescue mission for the nation’s democracy.”

“It’s a homecoming for me. Tomorrow, I will formally join the ADC and, as a proud son of Edo State, pay homage to our elders. Many of my people have already identified with the ADC platform,” he said.

Momodu added that his defection aligns with the opposition’s effort to build a formidable coalition capable of challenging President Tinubu’s re-election bid. He emphasised that fragmented opposition parties stand little chance without a united front.

He called on Nigerians to rise above partisan loyalties in defence of democracy, stressing that his decision was driven by national interest rather than personal ambition.

“We must come together to protect the democracy won for us by the late MKO Abiola. Democracy must be safeguarded at all costs in the interest of our nation and citizens,” he said.