The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has distanced himself from reports alleging that he is backing a plan to replace the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Engr. Suleiman Umar, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The clarification comes amid growing speculation surrounding the ADC governorship ticket in Adamawa.
Recent reports claimed that the party was considering substituting Suleiman Umar with Alhaji Tukur Modibbo, alleging that the move had the endorsement of Atiku and other influential party figures in the state.
The latest claims followed earlier speculation that APC stalwart Abdulrahman Haske would secure the ADC governorship ticket before eventually returning to the ruling party.
Reacting to the reports, the Atiku Campaign Council dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated, accusing those behind them of attempting to sow discord within the opposition party.
In a statement issued by Atiku’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, the campaign maintained that the former Vice President had neither approved nor participated in any effort to replace the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa or any other state.
The statement read, “His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, has neither initiated nor sanctioned any move to replace any duly nominated candidate of the ADC anywhere in Nigeria. As the party’s presidential candidate, he has consistently upheld the sanctity of the party’s internal democratic processes and remains firmly committed to respecting the decisions of its constitutionally recognised organs.”
The campaign further urged party faithful and the general public to disregard what it described as unfounded rumours, insisting that the claims were intended to divert attention from the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
“We therefore urge our members, supporters and the general public to disregard this baseless propaganda, which is clearly intended to foment unnecessary tension and distract the party from its collective mission. Those peddling these falsehoods are merely advancing narrow political interests,” the statement added.
Reaffirming Atiku’s commitment to the party’s internal processes, the campaign said, “Atiku Abubakar remains focused on uniting the ADC and leading the party to victory in the 2027 general elections in the country. He will continue to abide by and respect every lawful decision taken by the party in accordance with its constitution and established procedures.”
The rebuttal followed a protest by supporters of Suleiman Umar over reports that some party leaders were plotting to replace him as the ADC governorship candidate. While political observers have linked the controversy to perceived divisions among influential figures within the party in Adamawa, Atiku’s camp has categorically denied any involvement in such a move.
Supporting the campaign’s position, Director General of the Omarana Campaign Organisation, Elder Mark Wosi, insisted there was no internal crisis and said the campaign remained focused on the governorship race.
“We are the best for Adamawa, they know this, that is why they are trying to create a non existing problems in our party. I can tell you for free, we are on the right track in Adamawa state,” Wosi said.
The statement also appeared to rebut claims by political analyst Imran Wakili, who had alleged that Suleiman Umar’s replacement had already received Atiku’s approval alongside the backing of other senior ADC leaders in Adamawa.
Wakili had argued that the reported decision represented a “sound political decision” that would help restore the party’s momentum after what he described as a decline in its political fortunes.
