ADC South-West Stands Strong with Atiku Ahead of 2027 Elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders in the South-West have denied reports of a crisis in the zone. They have also confirmed their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the 2027 general elections approach.

The zonal leadership rejected claims that they held a virtual meeting with Atiku on September 5 to fix a supposed leadership disagreement. They called these reports false and made up.

In a statement on Monday, signed by the South-West National Vice Chairman, Akin Omole, and the six state chairmen, the party said there was “no rift, division or leadership crisis within ADC South-West.”

The leaders emphasized that both the zonal leadership and state chairmen are united. They want to strengthen the party’s structures and win elections across the region.

“We fully support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate. We recognize his leadership, political experience and national vision. We are committed to working closely with him, the National Working Committee, National Chairman Senator David Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other stakeholders to deliver a historic victory in 2027,” the statement said in part.

The leadership showed confidence in Aregbesola’s ability to coordinate politics across the South-West. They said that meetings among party members should not be seen as signs of problems.

They explained that a meeting held in Ibadan on September 4, 2026, was about creating strategies to strengthen the party and support Atiku and other ADC candidates in the upcoming elections.

According to the statement, the meeting focused on political strategy, grassroots mobilization, stakeholder engagement and organization.

“It was not a meeting against the presidential candidate, the national leadership or any individual within the party,” the leaders noted.

They also dismissed claims that a virtual meeting with Atiku happened the next day to discuss an internal crisis.

“The ADC South-West leadership categorically states that there was no virtual meeting with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on 5th September 2026. Any claim that such a meeting took place, or that it was held to resolve an alleged internal crisis, is false and fabricated,” the statement added.

The party called the reports a deliberate attempt by political opponents to create confusion and weaken their unity. They asked members and supporters to ignore what they described as divisive stories.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we stand solidly with our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. There is no disagreement, hostility or division between the South-West leadership and our presidential candidate,” they said.

The leaders insisted that political discussions and strategic meetings are normal in a growing political party. They should be seen as ways to strengthen the ADC ahead of the elections.

They confirmed that the zonal leadership, state chairmen, candidates and other stakeholders are “one political family with one collective responsibility.”

The statement also revealed that the party is stepping up grassroots mobilization, voter engagement, membership growth and strengthening its structures in the six South-West states.

Their goal is to win elections for ADC candidates in the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly elections in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.

“We urge party members, supporters and the public not to be distracted by stories meant to create doubt or division. We remain focused, united and determined,” the statement continued.

This fresh support comes as political parties start to prepare their strategies and manage their internal relationships before the 2027 elections.

The ADC has become a platform for opposition political discussions, with the party’s national leadership and presidential campaign team expected to lead its mobilization across the country.

The South-West, which includes Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, is a key area in the battle for national power. Unity among party leaders and grassroots structures is vital for the ADC’s electoral plans.

Reiterating their position, the zonal leaders declared, “ADC is united. There is no rift. There is no division. We are working together to deliver the South-West for Atiku Abubakar and all ADC candidates in 2027. One party. One family. One mission. Victory in 2027.”