BREAKING: ADC Ticket: Kwankwasiya, Amaechi, Others Hit Atiku Over Superiority Claims

According to report by The Nation on Saturday, April 18, 2026, tensions are rising within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as allies of Atiku Abubakar clash with supporters of rival presidential hopefuls over his recent claims of political dominance in northern Nigeria.

Backers of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso rejected Atiku’s assertion that he commands the largest voting bloc in the North, describing it as outdated and unsupported by present-day realities.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement, which is advocating a possible Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, argued that Atiku’s past electoral strength was largely driven by elite backing rather than genuine grassroots appeal.

In contrast, they insisted Kwankwaso enjoys organic support, citing his performance under the relatively less-established NNPP platform.

Meanwhile, Rotimi Amaechi openly challenged Atiku’s reasoning, suggesting that regional identity alone cannot determine presidential eligibility.

He argued that if Atiku’s main qualification is his northern origin, then only northern voters should support him, stressing that leadership requires broader national considerations.

Atiku had earlier dismissed other northern contenders, including Kwankwaso, claiming none matched his historical vote count.

He also downplayed Kwankwaso’s influence, saying it was limited to Kano State and now divided. However, he later visited Kwankwaso in Abuja, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to ease tensions sparked by his remarks.

The controversy deepened following Atiku’s comments about former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he described as inexperienced.

This drew sharp criticism from figures like Reuben Abati and Femi Fani-Kayode, who labeled the remarks as arrogant and dismissive.

They defended Jonathan’s track record, noting his rise through multiple leadership roles and his time in office.

Further criticism came from civil society groups, which accused Atiku of distorting historical facts to undermine Jonathan’s legacy.

Within the ADC itself, internal divisions also surfaced, with party figures disputing the legitimacy of a recent convention and warning that unresolved conflicts could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku’s statements have triggered backlash across political camps, exposing deep fractures within the ADC coalition and raising concerns about unity as the next presidential race approaches.