Former governors Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have intensified efforts to secure a joint presidential ticket on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by rallying northern leaders around a proposed one-term power rotation arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to party insiders, the duo are promoting a one-term presidency for Obi as part of a strategy to persuade northern stakeholders to support a southern candidate and shift allegiance away from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The consultations, sources revealed, are aimed at consolidating northern backing for a southern presidency in 2027, with assurances that power would return to the North after a single term.
Findings indicate that despite internal leadership disputes within the ADC and a pending Supreme Court ruling, aspirants have continued consultations and mobilisation efforts across the country.
Kwankwaso’s camp is said to have intensified outreach in recent weeks, engaging traditional rulers and influential figures in the North, particularly those opposed to a second term for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Supporters of the alliance have also launched the Obi–Kwankwaso Movement to drive momentum ahead of the party’s primaries, with efforts underway to formalise the one-term agreement and present it publicly to stakeholders.
However, the move has drawn mixed reactions within the party. Some insiders claim the strategy has begun to sway certain northern leaders, while others insist Atiku remains a dominant force with strong grassroots support.
A former lawmaker and Atiku supporter acknowledged the mobilisation efforts but described them as typical political manoeuvring, adding that all aspirants are working toward a common goal of strengthening the opposition.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party noted that several southern aspirants are also engaging northern heavyweights in a bid to secure delegate support and challenge Atiku’s influence within the ADC structure.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said consultations and alliances are part of the democratic process, assuring that the ADC would strive to produce its candidate through consensus.
As political permutations intensify, the race for the ADC presidential ticket is shaping into a keen contest, with multiple interests and alliances expected to influence the outcome.
