A former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, a socio-political group of senior figures from Northern Nigeria, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said the African Democratic Congress, a Nigerian political party, may face serious internal tension after its convention ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television, on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, Baba-Ahmed predicted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, is likely to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
Baba-Ahmed believes the decision could create cracks within the party because different blocs and interest groups may feel pushed aside if Atiku becomes the flagbearer.
“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,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed did not name the party figures he expects to leave, but he insisted that the contest for influence inside the party may not end peacefully once the ticket is settled.