The factional leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, has dismissed claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
It insisted that the party has concluded its internal processes and nominated Chris Uba as its flag bearer.
The party stated that Atiku “is not, and has never been” the presidential candidate of the ADC for the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its national chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party said it was issuing the clarification in the public interest and to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
It also disowned a group allegedly operating under the leadership of David Mark, describing it as a self-styled faction that is not recognised by the party.
According to the statement, the group does not constitute any legitimate organ of the ADC and therefore lacks the constitutional and legal authority, including recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct congresses, primaries or make binding decisions on behalf of the party.
“The Party categorically states that the African Democratic Congress is not in any form of alliance, merger, or coalition with any other political party. The ADC remains an autonomous, ideologically grounded, and self-reliant political party committed to contesting all elections on its own merit, structure, and manifesto.
“In strict compliance with the provisions of the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 as guided by INEC, the Party has lawfully concluded its internal processes and has duly nominated its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
“The African Democratic Congress presents Professor Chris Uba as its duly recognized flag bearer. The Party is of the firm conviction that Professor Uba possesses the requisite competence, capacity, character, and national appeal to provide transformational leadership for Nigeria at this critical period in our history.
“The Leadership of the African Democratic Congress hereby issues a formal and final warning to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to desist, with immediate effect, from holding himself out or parading himself as the presidential candidate of the ADC.
“The ADC was founded on the principles of national renewal, inclusive governance, and credible alternative leadership. The Party is not, and will not be, a rental platform or a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for political opportunists, displaced individuals, or coalition actors seeking to leverage our structure for personal ambition.”
He warned that it would pursue all available legal and constitutional remedies to protect its identity and structure against what it described as unauthorised appropriation or misrepresentation.
