By Muhammad Mamman
Ali Modu Sheriff, former Governor of Borno State, has expressed scepticism about the longevity of the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC), predicting its collapse within months. The ADC, a coalition recently established by prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former governors, and former ministers, aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sheriff argued that the ADC’s prospects are undermined by the competing presidential ambitions of its key members. Shortly after the party’s launch, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, announced their intentions to contest the 2027 presidency. There is also speculation that Atiku may seek the ADC’s presidential nomination.
Sheriff suggested that these overlapping ambitions could fracture the party, stating, “The ADC will not last three months because each of these figures is driven by presidential aspirations, yet only one can emerge as the candidate.” He highlighted Atiku’s experience as a former vice president and Obi’s previous presidential campaign, noting, “Atiku will settle for nothing less than the presidency, and Obi’s ambition is similarly resolute.”
Sheriff further claimed to have reliable information that Obi is poised to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pursue its presidential ticket. “Any moment now, Obi will rejoin the PDP and run as its candidate,” he asserted, questioning the ADC’s viability by asking, “Which states do Atiku and Amaechi control?”
In response, the ADC has sought to distance itself from divisive issues such as regional power rotation. The party issued a statement clarifying that it prioritises building a robust, grassroots political structure across Nigeria over engaging in debates about zoning.
