Professor of Communications and political commentator, Abiodun Adeniyi, has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is still in a transition and consolidation phase, making it too early for clear decisions on its 2027 presidential ticket, even as figures like Senator Aminu Tambuwal test the waters.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Adeniyi said both Tambuwal and the ADC are being cautious because the party has not yet fully stabilised ahead of the next general election.
“I think it’s also because the ADC itself is still in transition. They cannot be too sure of anything just yet because they have not found their feet; they’re not quite steady yet,” he said.
Adeniyi described Tambuwal’s political journey at 60 as “quite remarkable,” noting that the former Sokoto State governor still has significant political mileage ahead of him, including possible presidential ambition.
“It tells us that there is still so much that he can achieve. The presidency is still there for him to aspire to. He didn’t admit interest in 2027, but I see it as one more step he will look up to,” he said.
He characterised Tambuwal as a centrist and moderate politician with a conciliatory style, contrasting him with more combative political actors.
“He looks to me a personable gentleman. Despite being close to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and later parting ways, he has never fired back, even when Wike has taken shots at him,” Adeniyi noted.
“He was still charitable, even highlighting the good side of Wike for supporting him previously without demanding anything in return,” he added.
According to Adeniyi, Tambuwal’s current caution reflects not indecision but political calculation, as the ADC continues to build its internal structures.
“He’s being measured and moderated because the ADC is still in the stage of construction. Until they get to a reasonable level, they can’t be too sure of anything,” he said.
The professor also suggested that Tambuwal could still win a Senate seat under the ADC platform if he chose to return to the National Assembly.
“Something tells me he can still go back to the Senate on the platform of the ADC, going by his popularity over the years, from 2003 when he started running, and even before,” he said.
However, Adeniyi warned that the biggest challenge facing the ADC is managing internal competition for the presidential ticket, as several heavyweight politicians nurse similar ambitions.
“The issue of who gets the ticket is very delicate, and they need to manage it well. If everyone insists that it must be me, there is likely going to be a problem,” he cautioned.
He argued that the party’s success would depend on sacrifice and consensus among its leading figures.
“If they can make sacrifices and say, ‘This person appears to be the most popular among us, someone who can make the ruling party feel their impact,’ then they will achieve some mileage,” Adeniyi said.
Addressing concerns about potential defections, he noted that figures like Peter Obi could easily leave if denied the party’s top ticket.
“Peter Obi has done that before. If he doesn’t get the presidential ticket, I don’t see why he should remain. With the traction, credibility and integrity he has built, I’m not sure he would want to play second fiddle to anyone,” he said.
“For someone like him, it has to be the number one slot; otherwise, I see him pulling out,” Adeniyi added.
Despite these risks, he expressed cautious optimism that the ADC leadership, particularly under former Senate President David Mark, could manage the competing interests.
“I want to believe that David Mark should be able to rein in the contenders, to make them more sacrificial and look at the bigger picture, if they want to remain credible as an opposition,” he said.
Adeniyi concluded by stressing that the ADC’s ability to project itself as a serious alternative in 2027 would depend largely on how well it handles ambition, consensus and internal discipline in the months ahead.
Boluwatife Enome
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