The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is actively preparing for the 2027 general elections, positioning itself as a significant opposition force to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties. However, the party is characterized by internal divisions, with reports indicating the existence of at least three factions. One prominent faction, led by Alhaji Abdulkkadir Mohammed Bashir, recently held a national convention in Abuja where it adopted Dumebi Kachikwu as its 2027 presidential candidate.

At this convention, which took place on a Sunday, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Elias Adikwu, confirmed Kachikwu’s adoption, a decision subsequently ratified by delegates. Alhaji Bashir, who was newly elected as the party’s national Chairman, presented Kachikwu with the party’s flag, symbolizing his mandate for the upcoming election. Alongside Bashir, other new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were also elected. This faction announced a restructuring of its national leadership and the dissolution of the NWC under the leadership of Senator David Mark, accusing rival structures of prolonged internal power struggles and unconstitutional attempts to cling to power. In his acceptance speech, Muhammad Bashir Abdulkadir, the new factional chairman, criticized past leadership crises as being driven by "selfish interests" and emphasized the need for the ADC to return to its founding principles, asserting that no individual is above the party’s constitution. He called for unity, patience, discipline, and grassroots rebuilding, extending an olive branch to aggrieved members.

In his acceptance speech as the faction's presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu declared his commitment to representing the "common man"—the average citizen in contrast to socio-economic elites. He acknowledged the severe challenges Nigeria faces but expressed hope that the country could reverse its course from what he described as a "precipice of disaster" engineered by current leaders. Kachikwu emphasized his resolve to be in the "driver’s seat" to implement necessary changes, stating that "mourning and complaining are not enough." He also asserted that he would not be a presidential candidate of a factionalized party and would not permit the marginalization of common members by figures like Senator David Mark. He envisioned rebuilding Nigeria from the ground up, departing from its "faulty and archaic colonial foundation."

Meanwhile, another part of the African Democratic Congress has been engaged in its own presidential primary processes. The party had cleared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and renowned banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to contest for the presidential ticket. Despite efforts by the party leadership to achieve a consensus among these aspirants, negotiations collapsed, leading to a decision for direct primaries. The Liyel Imoke-led Presidential Screening Committee had initially cleared these three aspirants for the May 25 primary election.

Among the contenders, Atiku Abubakar brings extensive experience, having pursued the Nigerian presidency since 1993, with multiple bids across different parties (SDP, AC, PDP). His 2027 ambition is particularly significant as he recently indicated it would be his last electoral contest. Rotimi Amaechi, a former Speaker and Governor of Rivers State, also contested the APC presidential ticket in 2023. Having joined the ADC's opposition coalition, he firmly stated his intention to win the ticket and not step down or accept a vice-presidential role. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a prominent banker, also sought the party's presidential ticket in 2023. He urged delegates to view the primary as an opportunity to offer Nigerians a "credible alternative" to what he termed "failed governance and recycled politics." Hayatu-Deen positioned himself as a unifying candidate, free of political baggage, emphasizing his experience, integrity, calm leadership, and a practical recovery plan for Nigeria, particularly addressing insecurity, unemployment, and economic decline in North Central states.

Beyond the presidential race, the ADC has also been busy producing governorship candidates across at least 10 states for the 2027 elections. Notable candidates include Abubakar Malami for Kebbi State, Halliru Dauda Jika for Bauchi, Umar Suleiman Ummarana for Adamawa, Barrister Kassim Gana Gaidam for Yobe, Zakari Mohammed for Kwara, Dr Effiong Nyong for Cross Rivers, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson for Rivers, and Amb. Dare Bejide for Ekiti. The party is still in the process of concluding its governorship primaries in Katsina, Benue, and Borno states. The winner of the anticipated ADC presidential primary is expected to lead the party into the 2027 presidential election, mounting a challenge against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC and potentially Mr Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).