The African Democratic Congress is facing fresh internal turmoil just days after its presidential primary produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election. What began as a contest to unite opposition forces against President Bola Tinubu has quickly evolved into a public dispute over the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process.

The controversy is significant because the ADC has positioned itself as a key platform for opposition politics ahead of the next general election. Allegations of electoral manipulation within its own ranks could raise questions about the party’s ability to project itself as a credible alternative to the ruling government.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced his resignation from the ADC on Monday, accusing party leaders of conducting what he described as a heavily manipulated presidential primary in favour of Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku emerged winner of the exercise after securing 1,846,370 votes. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes, while businessman and politician Mohammed Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.

In a statement published on his social media platforms, Lawal alleged that results were altered to favour Atiku and his political allies.

According to him, even in areas where voting reportedly took place, winners were allegedly replaced by individuals loyal to the former vice president.

Lawal said his decision to leave the party was driven by what he described as a “conspiracy of silence” among members who appeared unwilling to challenge the outcome. He further argued that supporting Atiku’s presidential bid would effectively strengthen President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in office.

The accusations were immediately rejected by Atiku’s camp.

In a response issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president’s team described the allegations as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

Shaibu insisted that the primary was conducted across thousands of wards and reflected the will of ADC members nationwide. He challenged Lawal to produce documents, witnesses or verifiable proof to support claims of rigging.

The Atiku camp also questioned Lawal’s criticism by pointing to the emergence of Omar Suleiman, reportedly a relative of the former SGF, as the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa State through the same electoral process.

The exchange has transformed what might have remained an internal disagreement into one of the most visible political disputes within the opposition coalition ahead of 2027.

The dispute comes at a sensitive moment for Nigeria’s opposition landscape.

The ADC has attempted to position itself as a platform capable of attracting politicians dissatisfied with both the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. Such efforts require not only strong candidates but also confidence in the party’s internal processes.

Historically, allegations of manipulated primaries have played a major role in weakening political parties in Nigeria. Similar disputes have triggered defections, legal battles and fractured campaign structures in previous election cycles.

Political analysts have long argued that internal party democracy remains one of the weakest links in Nigeria’s electoral system. While parties frequently criticize the conduct of national elections, many have struggled to avoid controversies surrounding their own nomination processes.

The latest dispute risks reinforcing that perception.

The challenge for the ADC is particularly significant because opposition unity is often viewed as essential to mounting a serious challenge against an incumbent administration. Public disagreements among senior figures can undermine voter confidence and complicate coalition-building efforts.

Adding another layer to the controversy, presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen confirmed that he would not challenge the primary outcome in court despite previously expressing concerns about irregularities.

Before the announcement of results, Hayatu-Deen had publicly stated that he observed and received reports of vote manipulation in parts of the country.

His absence from the declaration of results triggered speculation that he could pursue legal action or formally contest the process.

Instead, the businessman said he had chosen party unity over litigation after consultations with supporters and stakeholders.

While maintaining that the primary did not meet his expectations, Hayatu-Deen said he had privately communicated his concerns to party leaders and would continue supporting efforts to build a strong opposition movement.

His decision removes the immediate threat of a legal challenge but does not eliminate questions surrounding the conduct of the primary.

Primary election controversies are far from new in Nigerian politics.

Over the past two decades, disputes over delegate lists, vote allocation, candidate substitution and internal party procedures have repeatedly generated conflicts across major political parties.

Several governorship and legislative contests have ended up in court following allegations that party rules were ignored or manipulated.

The ADC now faces a familiar test. While the party seeks to present itself as a vehicle for political reform and national renewal, critics argue that allegations emerging from within its own ranks could weaken that message.

At the same time, supporters of Atiku maintain that dissatisfaction among defeated contenders is common in competitive political contests and does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing.

Without independently verified evidence, the allegations remain claims rather than established facts.

The immediate political impact may not come from the accusations themselves but from how the ADC leadership responds in the weeks ahead.

If more senior figures publicly challenge the primary process, pressure could mount on the party to provide greater transparency about how votes were collated and verified.

Conversely, if the leadership succeeds in reconciling dissatisfied members and maintaining unity behind Atiku’s candidacy, the controversy may gradually fade as attention shifts toward preparations for the 2027 presidential campaign.

For now, the dispute highlights a recurring dilemma in Nigerian politics: parties seeking to champion democratic reforms often face their toughest credibility tests within their own structures. Whether the ADC can navigate this challenge may influence not only its electoral prospects but also its broader claim to represent a different political future.