Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State have urged the party’s interim national leadership, headed by former Senate President David Mark, to intervene against what they described as growing acts of intolerance, discrimination, and lawlessness by certain individuals within the state chapter.
The appeal was made at a press conference held on Monday by a coalition of party leaders in Kaduna, including Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, Mr. Patrick Didam, and Alhaji Ibrahim Suleiman, among others.
The group emphasised that the ADC-led opposition coalition must reflect a new political orientation focused on integrity and democratic values, warning against the imposition of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
“As stakeholders in Kaduna State, we want to appeal for the protection of the national leadership to prevent a repeat of another political disappointment in the name of a campaign to rescue Nigerian democracy,” the stakeholders said.
They further stated that intolerance and internal manipulation are undermining efforts to build a credible alternative to the current administration.
“When political leaders are intolerant, what comes out of them will be realities such as being discriminatory, self-serving, and lawless. Where this is allowed to be the case, the default mindset of such a political leader will be imposition and winning elections through rigging. These are dominantly the character of elected leaders today, which the coalition and ADC want to change.”
The group rejected any attempt to enforce a consensus presidential candidate without full consultation and adherence to internal party democracy.
“On no account should anyone use the fraudulent practice of imposing a so-called consensus to trample on internal democracy within the coalition and ADC. Achieving the new orientation will require that meetings be held and members are allowed to freely express themselves, including the right to disagree with political leaders and offer better alternatives,” the statement added.
Their remarks come amid growing momentum within the opposition, as key political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, have expressed support for the ADC-led coalition’s efforts to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
