Former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has issued a stark warning about the future of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), forecasting that the party will suffer significant internal damage "bleed" following its upcoming national convention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Baba-Ahmed made the prediction during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today programme, where he analyzed the dynamics within the opposition platform that adopted the ADC in July 2025 as its vehicle for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He asserted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is poised to dominate the process and emerge as the party's presidential flagbearer if a full convention takes place. “If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice-President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
The anticipated outcome, he argued, would trigger widespread discontent among other key figures and factions within the party. “ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly former Vice-President Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out, it will be severely damaged,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed suggested that the clash of ambitions and interests—particularly among high-profile politicians associated with the ADC, such as Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Babachir Lawal could lead to mass exits or defections. He contrasted Atiku's approach with others, noting that some aspirants might prefer consensus or anointing over open contests.
The ADC currently boasts notable leadership, including former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman, former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary. Despite this calibre of figures, Baba-Ahmed's comments highlight underlying tensions that could undermine the party's unity as it positions itself as a major opposition force.
This prediction comes amid ongoing discussions about opposition strategies for 2027, including warnings against fragmentation and reports of crises in various state chapters. Baba-Ahmed's remarks underscore the challenges of building a cohesive coalition in Nigeria's volatile political landscape, where personal ambitions often clash with collective goals.
As the convention approaches, the ADC faces a critical test of its ability to manage internal rivalries and maintain momentum against the incumbent APC.
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