Atiku says ADC will seek consensus first for 2027 candidate, with primaries as backup
Atiku Abubakar stated earlier today that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first attempt to select a 2027 presidential candidate through consensus, holding direct primaries only if talks fail. Speaking on Arise TV Wednesday evening, the former vice-president emphasized that consensus remains the coalition's preferred approach to 'save democracy in this country,' adding that he believes mature politicians will avoid needing primaries altogether. When asked about his own ambitions, Atiku clarified that stepping aside isn't the issue—his support for whoever emerges is what matters, declaring, 'I will support anybody that emerges.' According to the report, Atiku dismissed concerns about potential deadlock, expressing confidence that the ADC's internal discussions will yield a unified candidate without resorting to elections. This reveals the opposition's early strategy for 2027, highlighting Atiku's continued influence within ADC and the party's effort to present a united front ahead of next year's polls. While consensus is framed as the ideal path, the fallback to primaries shows awareness of potential fractures in the coalition—critical context for Nigerians tracking how opposition forces plan to challenge the incumbent party in 2027.