Allegations of imposition, power struggle, and looming legal threats shake party unity ahead of 2027 elections.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is grappling with a deepening internal crisis just days after naming former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as running mate to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

What was projected as a strategic alliance has quickly spiraled into a fierce internal battle, with key party figures divided along factional lines. Loyalists of Atiku are reportedly pushing for Amaechi’s replacement, setting off a high-stakes power struggle that threatens to destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite growing tensions, Atiku’s camp has publicly dismissed claims of discord. His media aide, Abdulrasheed Shehu, insisted that the ticket remains intact, attributing the delay in Amaechi’s formal unveiling to Atiku’s travel schedule. “Atiku/Amaechi is settled. His Excellency is on a short business trip. Once he returns, Amaechi will be officially unveiled as the VP candidate in a few days. Stop posting fake news,” he wrote on X.

The Atiku-Amaechi ticket, announced on June 5 by ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi and branded a “unity and rescue” platform, has instead exposed deep fractures within the party. Opposition has been particularly strong among Atiku loyalists, many of whom recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Insiders allege that Amaechi’s emergence was influenced by allies of former President Muhammadu Buhari within the All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking accusations of imposition. There are also mounting concerns about Amaechi’s perceived political independence, with fears that he could dominate campaign operations and sideline Atiku’s established inner circle.

A former senior official in the Buhari administration told The Guardian that tensions escalated after some ADC leaders reportedly conceded significant campaign control to Amaechi, a move that angered Atiku’s supporters.

Meanwhile, Amaechi’s camp is said to be weighing its options, including legal action. Sources indicate that his allies have urged him to challenge the ADC presidential primary in court if his candidacy is not submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal before the June 27 deadline.

The crisis is already taking a toll on party morale. In Katsina State, prominent ADC chieftain and former Secretary to the State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, warned that the unfolding dispute is eroding confidence among supporters.

“The party people believed in is now engulfed in this kind of confusion. It is unfortunate,” Inuwa said. “Disappointment is growing, and many are beginning to lose hope in ADC.”

He also accused the party leadership of ignoring complaints over alleged irregularities in its primaries, revealing that consultations are ongoing among aggrieved members.

With both Atiku and Amaechi camps maintaining a cautious silence, the unresolved crisis continues to cast doubt on the ADC’s ability to present a united front as it positions itself for the 2027 presidential race.