The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning to supporters of its 2027 presidential hopefuls, urging them to refrain from making divisive statements that could weaken the party’s chances at the polls. The party cautioned that internal division among supporters only serves the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during a Spaces session hosted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, emphasized that reckless utterances by supporters of aspirants are counterproductive. According to him, such actions indirectly strengthen the APC by portraying the opposition as fragmented and unserious.

The ADC currently boasts a lineup of prominent presidential aspirants, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai. Abdullahi revealed that he has personally engaged with all of them and that there is a shared understanding among the leaders about the responsibility ahead.

He noted that the collective goal of the aspirants is not personal ambition but national progress. “Our leaders understand the task before us, and everyone is committed to doing what it takes to win the election and make Nigeria better,” he said.

Abdullahi stressed that insisting on a “this candidate or nothing” mindset is harmful. According to him, clinching the party’s ticket alone is meaningless if the party cannot secure victory at the general election. He warned that persistent infighting, regional attacks, or the vilification of other aspirants would make it difficult for the party to build the broad national coalition required to win.

He further explained that all the ADC aspirants are highly qualified and deserve respect. Encouraging hostility or exceptionalism around any individual, he said, only alienates potential supporters across regions and political leanings. The party, he added, plans to strengthen internal unity and ensure that its leaders consistently promote togetherness.

Abdullahi also addressed supporters of Peter Obi directly, stating that chants of “Obi or nothing” are not helpful to the former governor’s political prospects. Such rhetoric, he explained, limits Obi’s appeal and discourages others who might otherwise be open to supporting him.

The ADC says its priority is unity, strategy, and focus. The party insists that only a united opposition can mount a credible challenge and win at the polls.