2027: ADC introduces power-sharing plan to prevent post-primary crisis

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a power-sharing framework aimed at preserving opposition unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Salihu Lukman, a chieftain of the party, disclosed this while featuring on The Morning Show on Arise TV, saying the model is designed to promote joint decision-making and prevent the concentration of authority in a single individual.

He said the party’s proposal, described as a “collegiate system”, seeks to replace winner-takes-all politics with a more inclusive structure where power is collectively exercised, even after a presidential candidate emerges.

Lukman said the decision followed fears that internal rivalries could fracture the coalition after primaries.

BusinessDay reports that the ADC has former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of State for Education, Emeke Nwajiuba and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen as some of its top presidential aspirants.

However, the party is enmeshed in a leadership crisis leading to the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any of the two factions, citing a recent Appeal Court ruling on the matter.

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INEC has scheduled April 23 to May 30, 2026, for all parties to conduct their primaries. But the Federal High Court has reserved judgement in the ADC’s leadership crisis.

Lukman stressed that ongoing contestation among supporters of leading aspirants should not be mistaken for disunity, noting that competition is a natural feature of democratic politics.

According to him, the framework will ensure all aspirants remain invested in the process, regardless of the eventual outcome.
“The new framework we are trying to put together is a collegiate framework. It is not a framework where one person will be the winner of everything.

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“Our leaders are committed to ensure that if we produce the next government, it is not going to be like an emperor presiding over an empire… It will be a collegiate team spirit, whereby all decisions will be taken jointly,” Lukman said.

He also criticised the ruling APC, accusing it of weakening internal party discipline. He expressed confidence that, despite current tensions, the opposition would ultimately unite behind a single candidate for the 2027 race.