ADC may bleed after convention as Atiku tipped to clinch presidential ticket

A former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has predicted that the African Democratic Congress could be plunged into an internal crisis and defections following its convention ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday while reacting to ongoing political realignments, warning that competing interests within the party could fracture its unity once a presidential candidate emerges.

He said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is widely expected to secure the party’s presidential ticket, a development he believes would leave several factions feeling marginalised.

According to him, the emergence of Atiku as the flagbearer would trigger discontent among party members who harbour their own presidential ambitions or represent rival power blocs.

“ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly Vice President Atiku Abubakar will get the ticket. When he does, some people will walk out,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He added that the party’s leadership would struggle to manage the fallout if interests that feel short-changed decide to defect, noting that such internal conflicts could weaken the ADC’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general election.