A member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fabiyi Oladimeji, has dismissed fears of an internal crisis within the party as the race for its 2027 presidential ticket intensifies, insisting that opposition parties should not be distracted by zoning debates or online rivalries.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Oladimeji said tensions between supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were being exaggerated and, in some cases, deliberately fuelled to weaken the opposition.
“Nigeria is not governed by poetry. It is governed by power,” Oladimeji said.
“And power is not handed to those who shout justice the loudest. It is secured by those who understand the dynamics, the timing, the negotiation, the structure and the strategy.”
Multiple political heavyweights, not crisis
Oladimeji described the ADC as a party with several influential figures, stressing that such dynamics are normal in competitive politics.
“We have more than two principalities in the ADC,” he said.
“Atiku is a principality in his own right. Peter Obi is one too. We have the likes of Rotimi Amaechi. These are principalities in their own right. We have seen this before.”
He urged Nigerians not to panic over online disagreements, expressing confidence in the party’s leadership.
“All the things you see happening will fizzle out,” he said.
“What I want to tell Nigerians is to keep calm. Something is going to work out, and that thing has to do with the vehicle carrying everybody, which is the ADC.”
Oladimeji praised the party’s leadership structure, led by former Senate President David Mark, describing it as experienced and focused.
“Today, ADC is being driven by experienced gentlemen. Senator David Mark is there, and the vision and focus are clear,” he said.
“You also have people like the National Secretary, Ralph Nwosu. These people know why political parties exist — to manage competing tendencies.”
Condemns attacks between opposition supporters
The ADC chieftain condemned attacks between supporters of opposition figures, describing them as counterproductive.
“There is no reason for an Obi supporter to be attacking Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
“There is no reason for any Atiku supporter to be attacking Peter Obi. We have something in common. We are all in opposition.”
He said he was encouraged by Atiku’s public call for restraint and unity.
“I am happy that the former vice-president came out boldly and said, ‘No, don’t do this,’” Oladimeji said.
“I have made this call several times myself. These attacks make no sense.”
Criticism of influential voices fuelling tension
Oladimeji expressed disappointment with some public figures who, in his view, have inflamed tensions by making absolutist demands.
“When someone like Professor Pat Utomi says that if Peter Obi takes anything less than the presidency he will withdraw support, I was disappointed,” he said.
“Here is someone who understands democracy and how candidates emerge. You don’t come out and make statements like that.”
He also questioned arguments linking Obi’s candidacy strictly to southern or southeastern zoning.
“As a South-Easterner, if you say power must come to the South and you will not support Obi otherwise, I ask: is this about Peter Obi or about the zone?” he said.
“If power comes to the South-East, it goes back to the South-West. These are contradictions people are not addressing.”
Leadership responsibility and supporter discipline
Oladimeji said political leaders must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters.
“Peter Obi is a leader. He should be able to control his supporters,” he said.
“When Atiku’s people misbehave, there are mechanisms to warn and discipline them. The same standard should apply.”
He added that most genuine supporters were not responsible for the online hostility.
“We know the real Obidients,” he said.
“You don’t see the real Obidients doing these kinds of things.”
No implosion, clear process for ticket
Responding to concerns that the ADC could be heading towards implosion as 2027 approaches, Oladimeji firmly rejected the notion.
“There is not going to be any implosion,” he said.
“The party is clear about what it wants to do.”
He explained that the ADC has options in choosing its presidential candidate.
“The party can decide on consensus,” he said.
“If consensus does not work, everybody goes to the open field — free, transparent and fair primaries.”
On whether figures like Rotimi Amaechi should be allowed to contest, Oladimeji was emphatic.
“Why should he not be in the race?” he asked.
“Why should anybody be excluded?”
Zoning not an opposition concern
Oladimeji argued that zoning should not be a priority for an opposition party.
“The ADC, as an opposition party, has no business talking about zoning,” he said.
“It is the ruling party that should be talking about zoning, not the opposition.”
Drawing parallels with past elections, he said strategy, not sentiment, determines victory.
“In 2014, when APC was forming, PDP was talking about zoning,” he said.
“APC didn’t talk about zoning because they knew it would make no sense strategically.”
He maintained that unity, not zoning debates, is the ADC’s core objective.
“ADC has come to say Atiku, Obi and Amaechi will work together,” Oladimeji said.
“That is what the ruling party does not want to see.”
When asked if that meant a joint ticket, he responded plainly:
“Yes. Same ticket. They will work together.”
Oladimeji said the party’s leadership would communicate its final strategy at the appropriate time, urging patience and restraint as consultations continue ahead of 2027.
Boluwatife Enome
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