A senior member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kelly Agba, has declared that the party will not be bound by regional zoning when selecting its flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election. This announcement comes amid confirmed interest from major political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Merit Over Region: ADC's New Stance
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng on Sunday, December 7, 2025, Agba dismissed the assumption that the party's national chairman, Senator David Mark, being from the north would automatically mean its presidential candidate must come from the south. He stated that the ADC is consciously moving beyond such traditional calculations.
"We're moving beyond regional considerations," Agba emphasized. "The North/South dichotomy won't plague our chances in 2027. Every Nigerian deserves a chance to participate, and we'll ensure that happens."
He further described zoning as an "outdated concept," asserting that the party's ticket is open to every qualified Nigerian. The ADC chieftain stressed that the forthcoming primary election would be contested, requiring all aspirants to exhibit sportsmanship and sacrifice personal ambition for the national interest.
Managing Ambitions and Building a Solid Structure
Addressing concerns about managing the diverse interests and high-profile ambitions within the party, Agba expressed confidence. He credited the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Senator David Mark, with the capacity to oversee a transparent process.
"Managing diverse interests isn't a challenge for our party's National Executive Committee," he said. "With our national chairman... at the helm, we're committed to a free, fair, and people-centric primary election. We'll prioritize merit, competence, and national interest over regional considerations."
Agba also pushed back against perceptions of the ADC as a shaky platform, insisting the party has a solid foundation. He made it clear that the presidential ticket "will not be given on a platter of gold" and that anyone unprepared for a competitive primary is not ready to govern Nigeria's complex economy.
The Broader 2027 Opposition Landscape
This development occurs within a dynamic opposition landscape. Reports indicate that Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi are exploring collaborative efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu's potential re-election bid in 2027.
Furthermore, it was earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar's bloc within the ADC had begun searching for a southern running mate, considering both Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi as potential options. Political allies have warned that delays in forming a cohesive opposition front could weaken the challenge to the ruling party.
The ADC's public rejection of zoning adds a significant new dimension to the evolving pre-2027 political calculations, placing a premium on individual merit and a national appeal over geographic origin.
