ADC presidential candidate may emerge in May via consensus

By: Abudu Olalekan

There’s strong indications that the opposition coalition, the African Democratic Congress, will pick their flagbearer late in May. And they’re leaning hard on the consensus option. It’s the smarter move, honestly.

Party bigwigs spoke to Reportersroom on Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity, obviously. They told us that media reports claiming a breakdown in communication? False. Nothing is broken. The formal process to pick the candidate hasn’t even started yet.

“What we agreed on is that we will not allow the issue of presidential standard-bearer to divide the coalition,” one source said. That’s what opponents want, division. But the party is certain to beat them to the game. The United Opposition Movement will work tirelessly to midwife a consensus arrangement. Why? Because it is the cheaper option. Simple as that. It’s only when consensus is difficult to attain that they will go to plan B, the direct primary.

Another source in the know said leaders haven’t started discussing the matter seriously. There’s a reason. The ongoing suit at the apex court.

He said the story about a decision over consensus is APC propaganda. No one has even started discussing the matter. Everyone is waiting for the Supreme Court decision. Obviously, in any party that does not have a candidate, people would have opinions. That is what democracy is all about. Calling that a division is not right.

The source further stated that the party would guard its loins tightly. They know the prying eyes of the ruling party are on the opposition coalition. They want to destabilise it.

But here’s the thing. Further investigations confirmed that the process has already been mapped out.

First, the party would take a shot at the consensus option. It will look at all the available resource materials. They want the likely candidate who can best defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). There is issues of zoning, which the party has downplayed. We are not sure yet at what stage that would come up. But we are so far assured of aspirants from the North and the South.

So who’s in the mix?

The presidential hopefuls in the ADC include heavyweights. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in 2023. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from NNPP. And Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transport. Obi and Amaechi come from the South-East and South-South. Atiku hails from Adamawa in the North-East, and Kwankwaso hails from Kano.

Although the APC and PDP have zoning arrangements for power rotation, something the ADC has yet to come clean about. It’s quiet on that front.

Meanwhile, trouble elsewhere.

The Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN), a support group of the ADC, has criticised the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. They’re angry over comments suggesting backing for individuals expelled from the party.

In a statement signed by Idris Bala Musa and issued on Monday in Abuja, the group accused Gbajabiamila of indicating support for Bala Nafiu and Honourable Leke Abejide. They’re trying to reclaim influence within the ADC.

GMN described the remarks as troubling. They called on Nigerians to urge those in the presidency to safeguard democratic principles. They warned against attempts to destabilise opposition parties.

According to the group, Gbajabiamila made the comments during a reception. It was for Abejide’s 20th wedding anniversary and his wife’s 50th birthday.

The ADC had, at its last national convention, ratified the expulsion of both Abejide and Nafiu. Over alleged anti-party activities.

GMN said the comments, if accurate, point to “a disturbing level of interference” in the affairs of an opposition party. They warned of broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic system. It’s a bold claim.

The group further alleged that such actions suggest a broader strategy aimed at suppressing opposition voices ahead of future elections.

GMN argued that any attempt to impose individuals on a political party violates constitutional provisions. They cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution. That guarantees freedom of association. Plus relevant sections of the Electoral Act governing party autonomy.

For now, all eyes on May.