As the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerges as a possible rallying platform for opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections, concerns over internal cohesion are already shaping conversations around the party’s future. With prominent political heavyweights linked to its presidential primaries, analysts say the ADC’s real test may come not from external rivals but from how it manages ambition and rivalry within its ranks.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Barrister Buhari Yusuf said the survival and unity of the ADC would largely depend on how former Anambra State governor Peter Obi responds if he loses the party’s presidential primaries to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to Yusuf, party primaries are often flashpoints for division, particularly when influential aspirants with strong support bases refuse to accept unfavourable outcomes.
“If Obi accepts defeat after the primaries, that will guarantee the survival of ADC,” Yusuf said.
He argued that the ADC’s ability to present itself as a credible and united alternative ahead of 2027 would be severely undermined if internal disagreements spill over after the primaries. Yusuf noted that opposition parties in Nigeria have historically struggled to recover from disputed primaries, with defections and parallel structures often weakening their electoral prospects.
Yusuf stressed that acceptance of defeat and commitment to party unity are critical responsibilities of senior political figures, especially those whose supporters are highly mobilised and emotionally invested in their candidacies.
He added that while competition within a party is healthy, it must be managed in a way that strengthens, rather than fractures, the organisation. In his view, the conduct of leading contenders after the primaries will send a clear signal about whether the ADC is prepared to function as a disciplined political platform or repeat the mistakes of past opposition coalitions.
Yusuf’s comments come amid growing speculation about the ADC’s role in the 2027 elections, as opposition actors explore alliances capable of challenging the ruling party. How the party navigates its presidential primaries, he suggested, may ultimately determine whether it survives as a unified force or collapses under the weight of internal rivalry.
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