The South-West leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections, rejecting reports of internal divisions and disagreements over the party’s regional leadership structure

The position was announced on Monday, 2 November 2026, in a statement signed by Akin Omole, the party’s South-West National Vice Chairman, and the chairmen of the six states in the geopolitical zone.

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The declaration followed reports of dissatisfaction among some ADC leaders over the alleged marginalisation of established party structures by Atiku and disagreements surrounding the coordination of political activities in the region.

The South-West leadership, however, insisted that the reports did not reflect its collective position, maintaining that the party remained united behind its presidential candidate.

“There is no rift, division or leadership crisis within ADC South-West,” the statement declared.

The leaders also expressed confidence in the party’s national leadership, including National Chairman Senator David Mark and National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, pledging to work with them and other stakeholders towards the party’s electoral ambitions.

“We fully support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate. We recognise his leadership, political experience and national vision, and remain committed to working closely with him, the National Working Committee, National Chairman Senator David Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other stakeholders to deliver a historic victory in 2027,” the statement read.

The clarification comes against the backdrop of reports published by The PUNCH on 1 November, which quoted some ADC governorship candidates and party officials as expressing dissatisfaction with Atiku’s alleged reliance on personal associates rather than established party structures in the South-West.

According to those reports, some party stakeholders raised concerns at a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 4 September, arguing that recognised party officials should be more actively involved in coordinating the presidential candidate’s political activities.

One participant, who spoke anonymously, described the meeting as heated and said participants had asked the national leadership to ensure greater engagement with the party’s regional structures.

The latest statement offers a different account of the September gathering, insisting that the meeting was organised to develop strategies for strengthening the ADC’s political structures and improving its electoral prospects across the region.

The leaders said the discussions focused on grassroots mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, political strategy and organisational coordination.

“It was not a meeting against the presidential candidate, the national leadership or any individual within the party,” they stated.

They also firmly rejected reports that Atiku participated in a virtual meeting with South-West party leaders on 5 September to resolve an alleged leadership disagreement.

“The ADC South-West leadership categorically states that there was no virtual meeting with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on 5th September 2026. Any claim that such a meeting took place, or that it was held to resolve an alleged internal crisis, is false and fabricated,” the statement added.

The denial directly contradicts accounts published by The PUNCH on 1 November, which cited an ADC official as saying Atiku held a virtual meeting with regional leaders on 5 September and requested five nominees from each state for his presidential campaign committee.

The South-West leadership also defended Aregbesola’s political coordination in the region, arguing that consultations among party stakeholders should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of disagreement.

It described reports of internal divisions as attempts by political opponents to create suspicion and weaken the party’s growing organisation ahead of the next general elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we stand solidly with our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. There is no disagreement, hostility or division between the South-West leadership and our presidential candidate,” the statement said.

The renewed declaration also comes amid separate reports of disagreements over the involvement of regional party officials in Atiku’s political activities and the handling of campaign-related responsibilities.

In another statement published on 2 November, the immediate past South-West Zonal Chairman, Rasak Eyiowuawi, also dismissed suggestions that regional leaders were abandoning Atiku, describing reports of disaffection as politically motivated.

The ADC leadership said its immediate priority was to expand membership, strengthen grassroots structures and increase voter engagement across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.

The party intends to pursue victories across the presidential, governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly elections in 2027.

The South-West remains an important political region because of its electoral influence and the presence of established political networks across its six states.

In the 2023 presidential election, President Bola Tinubu won Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo, while Atiku, then the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, won Osun. Peter Obi of the Labour Party secured Lagos.

For the ADC, building a coordinated regional structure will therefore be an important part of its preparations for the next election.

The party’s statement concluded with an appeal to members and supporters to avoid divisive narratives and concentrate on organisational development.

“ADC is united. There is no rift. There is no division. We are working together to deliver the South-West for Atiku Abubakar and all ADC candidates in 2027. One party.

One family. One mission. Victory in 2027,” the leaders declared.

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Whether the latest assurances will resolve the concerns previously raised by some party officials remains to be seen. For now, the South-West leadership has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to Atiku and presented a united position as the 2027 electoral preparations gather momentum.