Rift: South West ADC United Behind Atiku, Says National Vice Chairman

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-West has reaffirmed its unity and solidarity with the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, declaring that there is no rift or leadership crisis within the party’s regional structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The position was contained in a press statement signed by Akin Omole, the ADC South-West National Vice Chairman, alongside the six state chairmen of the party in the region.

The leaders dismissed reports of internal disagreements, insisting that the zonal leadership and state chairmen remain united and committed to strengthening the party’s structures across the South-West.

“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 said.

The party leaders also reaffirmed their confidence in Aregbesola’s leadership and political coordination across the South-West.

Addressing reports surrounding a meeting held in Ibadan on September 4, 2026, the ADC leaders explained that the gathering was a strategic engagement focused on strengthening the party’s structures and developing strategies to mobilise support for Atiku and other party candidates in the region.

According to the statement, the meeting discussed political strategy, grassroots mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and organisational coordination, stressing that it was not convened against the presidential candidate, the national leadership or any individual within the party.

The statement also categorically denied reports that the South-West leadership held a virtual meeting with Atiku on September 5, 2026, to resolve an alleged internal crisis.

“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 declared.

The leaders attributed the reports to what they described as an attempt by political opponents to create discord and weaken the party’s cohesion.

They urged party members, supporters and the general public to disregard narratives suggesting disagreements between the South-West leadership and the presidential candidate.

“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,” they stated.

The ADC leadership further explained that political consultations and strategic meetings were normal features of party organisation and should not be misconstrued as evidence of internal conflict.

It added that the zonal leadership, state chairmen, candidates and other stakeholders remained united under a common political objective ahead of the 2027 elections.

As part of its preparations, the party said it was intensifying grassroots mobilisation, voter engagement, membership expansion and the consolidation of its structures across the six South-West states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

The leaders said their objective was to secure victories for ADC candidates contesting the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections.

Reiterating their commitment to the party’s electoral preparations, the statement concluded that the South-West ADC remained focused and determined to work collectively towards the 2027 general elections.

“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.”