Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has affirmed that party delegates will determine who clinches the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
In an interview with Trust TV, Ibe addressed growing speculation about internal wrangling between Atiku, Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer Peter Obi, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi all top contenders in the newly formed opposition coalition under ADC.
“The fight will be settled by delegates, whether in a direct or indirect primary,” Ibe stated confidently.
He clarified that prior to forming the coalition, all leaders involved including Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi had already agreed to make personal and political sacrifices for the sake of building a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The coalition, which launched in July 2025, has drawn considerable national attention, especially after Obi and Amaechi openly declared their presidential ambitions under the ADC platform.
Although Atiku has not made a formal announcement, political observers believe he will likely seek a record seventh presidential bid.
This has fueled speculation about potential friction within the coalition, with each candidate’s supporters intensifying their campaigns to secure the party ticket.
Ibe, however, dismissed any claims of an implosion, insisting the coalition remains intact and focused.
“There’s no implosion. It’s simply supporters jostling for space,” he said.
He emphasized that such competition reflects a healthy democratic process.
“This is democracy at work. People have the right to choose,” he asserted.
Turning his focus to governance, Ibe accused the Tinubu administration of shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space and pushing the country toward a one-party state.
“We’ve lost the essence of democracy because of what Tinubu’s government is doing,” he declared.
Despite the internal race, Ibe reiterated the coalition’s primary mission: to unseat Tinubu and restore democratic integrity in Nigeria.