2027 Elections: ADC Declares Another Presidential Candidate

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Nafiu Bala, has declared businessman Prof. Chris Uba as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The development comes days after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC in a separate primary election held across the country.

Atiku had defeated former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, to secure the party’s ticket.

However, the Bala-led faction, on Sunday, insisted that Uba was the duly nominated presidential candidate of the party.

The faction also presented flags to 29 governorship candidates across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Speaking during the formal presentation of the candidates in Abuja, the factional National Chairman of the party, Bala, said the presidential ticket was zoned to Southern Nigeria.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with what he described as the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and federal character.

According to him, three aspirants initially purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the presidential ticket.

“They were Dr Bashir Sani, Prince Williams Charles and Prof. Chris Uba,” Bala said.

The factional chairman said the party adopted the consensus option in selecting its candidates for the 2027 general election.

He said the method was provided for under the Electoral Act and was used for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly primaries.

Bala said the decision was also taken in the interest of party unity.

“In adherence to the principle of federal character and in accordance with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as amended, which recognises consensus as a lawful mode for the selection or nomination of candidates by political parties, the African Democratic Congress adopted consensus as the method for its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly primary election,” he said.

Bala further stated that two of the presidential aspirants voluntarily withdrew from the race and endorsed Uba as the sole candidate of the party.

He said their withdrawal cleared the way for Uba to emerge through consensus.

“Pursuant to this provision and in the interest of party unity, two of the party’s presidential aspirants voluntarily withdrew from the contest and endorsed Prof. Chief Chris Uba as the party’s sole presidential candidate,” Bala said.

“Consequently, Prof. Uba has been duly returned as the consensus candidate and duly elected to represent ADC as its presidential flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.”

The emergence of Uba from the Bala-led faction is expected to deepen the leadership and nomination crisis within the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.

With Atiku already declared the winner of a separate presidential primary, the party may now face fresh legal and political battles over which candidate will be recognised as its authentic flagbearer.