ADC and NDC crises threaten 2027 election challenge as primaries disputes linger
Nigeria's two main opposition parties, ADC and NDC, face deepening internal crises over disputed primaries and leadership battles that threaten their ability to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 general elections. Atiku Abubakar's ADC struggles with court cases, INEC deregistration threats, and unresolved governorship primaries in seven states including Rivers, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, Benue and Adamawa, where parallel candidate claims persist. Peter Obi's NDC, despite rapid growth after absorbing defectors, battles irregularity complaints in state primaries, tensions with the Obidient Movement, and has not released official primary results in any state as of Monday. Both parties were absent from INEC's cleared candidate list for the June 20 bye-elections, though they aim to meet the July 11 presidential nomination deadline when the portal opens June 27. Unresolved disputes risk legal challenges, rival candidate lists, and weak grassroots structures that could fragment the anti-APC vote. The opposition's continued dependence on a few influential figures rather than strong institutions raises doubts about their capacity to effectively challenge President Tinubu's APC. Will these parties resolve their internal fractures in time to present a united front, or will administrative weaknesses undermine their 2027 ambitions before campaigns begin?