The African Democratic Congress has rejected claims by the Minister of Aviation, Barr. Festus Keyamo that the party is controlled by Atiku Abubakar.
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson of the ADC, dismissed the allegation in a post on X on Wednesday, describing it as false and misleading.
Abdullahi said Keyamo’s argument on zoning was historically inconsistent with practices within the ruling party.
He recalled that during the contest for senate president after the 2015 elections, zoning was initially adopted before influential blocs within the party argued that it was “a PDP thing” and alien to progressive politics.
Abdullahi said similar approaches were taken during past presidential primaries, where aspirants from different regions contested without strict zoning arrangements.
Responding to the claim that zoning is essential to national unity, Abdullahi said religious balancing is also critical to cohesion.
He said the ruling party undermined national unity when it adopted a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Abdullahi said the ADC has not taken a final decision on zoning because it is focused on building what he described as a winning coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
“What we are putting together is a winning coalition, therefore nothing is settled yet,” he said.
He added that when the party eventually decides, it will be guided by a clear electoral strategy while preserving national unity.
Abdullahi rejected suggestions that the ADC is organised around the ambition of a single individual, saying party members do not share that view.
The ADC spokesperson said the party would not adopt a “win-at-all-cost” approach, adding that there are lines it would not cross in order to keep the country together.
