The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a deepening internal crisis over its presidential ticket, compounded by fresh litigation and conflicting alignments among key political figures, party insiders say.
On Wednesday, a faction opposed to the David Markled leadership secured a court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize the Mark faction. INEC has been served with the order, according to a source familiar with the matter, who spoke off the record.
“Whatever it is, the ADC is marred in a quagmire of legal rigmarole that may not disappear anytime soon,” the source said. Within the party, two distinct blocs have emerged. One bloc features Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who are “trying to navigate and see how they can wrest for the ticket of the party,” the source said.
“That is why you see Obi making the rounds, including going to Ibadan on his own. Obi is campaigning as a presidential candidate.” According to the source, Obi’s allies have reached out to the Kwankwasiyya Movement to explore Kwankwaso becoming Obi’s running mate. The other bloc is centered on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“The people in the Atiku camp believe that there cannot be a consensus,” the source said, referencing recent commentary by Dele Momodu, described as Atiku’s “official spokesperson.” “Atiku is saying that some people are demonizing him and undercutting him. It is obvious that the Atiku base is shooting for an outright primary election, which they believe they will win,” the source added.
The Atiku camp is also reaching out to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the source said. Following a Supreme Court judgment that derecognized the Makinde-allied faction in the PDP, “it is obvious that Makinde is in dire straits,” the source said.
“As we are talking now, Makinde is party-less. That is why he gave his all to host that Summit, and the talk in town is that Makinde is also positioning himself to be the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, if Atiku wins the ticket.”
However, Obi’s supporters are pushing back on any joint ticket. “It is obvious that the Obi people are saying that he should not run as running mate to Atiku; he should run on his own strength,” the source said.
With the deadline for completing primaries approaching, some aspirants are considering other options, the source said. This includes the party linked to Seriake Dickson, who “has gone to the NDC, where he is going to run as a senator,” and others considering the People’s Redemption Party, PRP.
