Leaders and candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nigeria's South-West region have expressed deep frustration regarding their alleged sidelining by the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The discontent stems from accusations that Atiku is bypassing established party structures and relying instead on personal friends and political allies to drive campaign preparations.

The South-West serves as a critical political battleground, traditionally dominated by President Bola Tinubu, who secured victories in Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ondo states during the 2023 elections. With Atiku seeking to cement his footing in the region, the perceived disconnect between his camp and local party executives has raised concerns over sluggish campaign momentum.

Grievances and the Ibadan Summit

Frustrations came to a head when regional governorship candidates and key stakeholders convened an emergency meeting in Ibadan on September 4. Participants formally communicated their grievances to the party's National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, arguing that the presidential candidate was failing to engage adequately with the legitimate party framework that produced local candidates for the upcoming elections.

Insiders noted that members expressed disappointment over the lack of visible campaign activity and accused external individuals of positioning themselves to control campaign resources for personal gain. Financial grievances were also raised, with reports indicating that state chairmen visiting Abuja for consultations received no logistical support, compounding feelings of neglect.

Response from Party Leadership

In an effort to quell the mounting tension, a virtual reconciliation meeting was reportedly held on September 5, during which commitments were made to integrate state-level nominations into upcoming campaign committees.

Regional leadership has offered mixed reactions to the crisis:

• The Regional Defense: South-West ADC Chairman Akin Omole defended the candidate's approach, characterizing the campaign as a broad coalition that naturally incorporates longstanding political alliances alongside formal party machinery. He maintained that regional complaints were isolated and not indicative of a structural breakdown.

• The Lagos Perspective: Lagos State ADC Chairman George Ashiru dismissed the concerns as anxiety driven by premature expectations, emphasizing that official campaign councils operate independently of executive party structures and will be rolled out according to strategic timelines.

• Osun Chapter Position: Representatives from Osun State similarly dismissed rumors of a rift between Atiku and key regional figures like Aregbesola, pointing to a quiet, methodical roadmap currently being implemented to consolidate grassroots support.

Campaign Camp Response

Responding to the allegations, Atiku’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, strongly rejected claims of marginalization. He clarified that regional campaign councils and coordinators have not yet been officially inaugurated, meaning no established structures could have been excluded. Reaffirming Atiku’s commitment to internal party harmony, the campaign maintained that allegations of bypassing local structures were unfounded and reflective of opposition speculation rather than genuine internal grievances.