Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed says the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the flagbearer of the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) could lead to an implosion within the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He predicted on Tuesday, January 20, in an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, as he discussed the party and the ambitions of some of its leading figures.

He said that despite Atiku being the leading figure in the race, his victory at the national convention could trigger an exodus of aggrieved aspirants and supporters.

“If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“And then, a lot of people will walk out because a lot of people are in that party only for the same thing. They want the ticket.”

According to him, the ADC currently harbors tonnes of political heavyweights who are bound to clash once the process of selecting a presidential candidate begins.

Baba-Ahmed also referenced the posture of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting that Obi’s political style does not align with competitive party primaries.

“One of the reasons Peter Obi is saying, ‘Look at me, I’m not here for number two, I’m not here for convention, I’m here to fly the flag,’ is that he has people who were initially whispering politely to him,” he said. “But now they are saying, ‘Join the queue. You’re not the only one with ambition here.’”

He added that Obi was accustomed to being adopted as a consensus candidate rather than contesting against multiple aspirants.

“Peter Obi doesn’t do convention. He just goes there to be anointed,” Baba-Ahmed said, suggesting that such expectations could fuel tensions within the ADC.

The former presidential adviser concluded that the outcome of the party’s convention could destabilise the coalition.