2027: ADC Warns Gov’ship Candidates Against Violence, Hate Speech

The African Democratic Congress has warned its governorship candidates and supporters against political violence, hate speech, intimidation and other actions that could create tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party gave the warning on Monday after a meeting between its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and its governorship candidates at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting focused on the outcome of the party’s governorship primaries, efforts to settle disagreements among members and plans for the 2027 elections.

The ADC also announced plans to set up a National Reconciliation Committee to address disputes that followed its primaries across the country. The committee is expected to engage aggrieved aspirants and their supporters and work towards bringing them back into the party’s campaign structure.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the leadership was aware that the primaries had created disagreements in some states. He said allowing such disputes to continue could weaken the party’s chances in the general elections.

According to him, details of the members of the reconciliation committee would be made public soon.

Abdullahi said Mark also told the governorship candidates that political competition should not lead to conduct capable of damaging the party’s reputation or threatening the peace of the electoral process.

The candidates were urged to base their campaigns on issues and avoid the use of ethnic or religious sentiments, threats, personal attacks and violence to win support.

The party said its candidates would be expected to follow the ADC’s rules throughout the election period and could face disciplinary measures if they violate them.

The warning comes as political parties begin to intensify their activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with several governorship races expected to attract strong competition across the country.

The ADC, which is seeking to strengthen its position as an opposition platform, faces the task of keeping its members united after its primaries while building effective campaign structures in the states.

The party also directed its candidates to promote its national policy plans during their campaigns. Particular attention is expected to be given to the party’s proposed measures on petrol prices and the rising cost of living.

The ADC has proposed a form of targeted fuel subsidy as part of its plan to reduce the pressure of high petrol prices on Nigerians. The party said its candidates would be given more information about the proposal so they can explain how it would work to voters.

The issue of petrol subsidy has become an important part of political discussions ahead of 2027. President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy shortly after taking office in May 2023, leading to a sharp rise in petrol prices and increases in transportation and food costs.

The Federal Government has defended the policy as part of its economic reforms, while opposition parties have continued to question its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

The ADC also addressed concerns over possible changes to its list of candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Abdullahi said none of the governorship candidates present at the meeting had reported that a validly nominated candidate had been replaced. He added that the party had records of its submissions to INEC, including documents acknowledging the submissions.

He said the party would take administrative action if evidence emerged that any of its candidates had been replaced without proper authorisation.

The ADC further said it had received reports of attacks on its supporters, destruction of campaign billboards and attempts to restrict its political activities in some states.

The party said it would respond to such incidents through the courts and other lawful channels rather than engage in retaliation.

Abdullahi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of using intimidation against opposition supporters and voters in some areas. The ADC said it was gathering information on such incidents and would pursue legal action where necessary.

The party also raised concerns about the cost of political advertising, claiming that some state authorities were charging opposition groups very high fees for campaign billboards. It alleged that charges in some areas could reach as much as N100 million.

The ADC said such charges could make it difficult for opposition parties to campaign freely and promised to challenge any restrictions it considers unlawful.

The meeting with the governorship candidates forms part of the ADC’s wider preparations for the 2027 elections. The party now faces the task of resolving disputes from its primaries, winning back dissatisfied members and presenting a united campaign across the states.

The party’s leadership said its candidates must combine strong grassroots mobilisation with peaceful and lawful political activities as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.