The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has postponed its presidential screening exercise from Monday to Wednesday following disagreements among party leaders over a preferred consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
Sources within the party disclosed that consultations and negotiations were still ongoing among key stakeholders over who should emerge as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.
According to party insiders, the leadership has yet to reach an agreement among three leading contenders – Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
A source familiar with the development said the postponement was aimed at giving the party more time to resolve internal disagreements and avoid deepening divisions before the presidential primary.
“The ADC presidential screening exercise has been shifted from Monday to Wednesday,” the source said.
“The party has failed to agree on a consensus candidate between Amaechi, Atiku and Hayatu-Deen.”
Sources also revealed that uncertainty now surrounds the party’s presidential primary election scheduled for May 25.
According to insiders, financial challenges and disagreements over the consensus arrangement have complicated preparations for the exercise.
“Even their primaries date is now unsure; they don’t have money and Atiku not letting them have a consensus that doesn’t suit him,” another source alleged.
On Saturday, the ADC had already announced the postponement of its screening exercise for presidential and governorship aspirants.
The exercise, initially scheduled for the weekend, was shifted to Monday, May 18, 2026.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also disclosed that the screening of some federal lawmaker aspirants from parts of Northern Nigeria would be conducted in Abuja because of security concerns.
“All affected aspirants will be duly contacted with the updated schedules and necessary details,” the statement said.
Earlier, the ADC released its timetable for the 2027 primary elections and approved nomination fees for all elective positions.
According to the party, sales of nomination forms were scheduled to hold between May 5 and May 10, while submission of completed forms was fixed for May 11 to May 13.
The party initially planned to conduct screening between May 14 and May 15, with publication of results expected on May 17.
Appeals were scheduled for May 18 and May 19, while the final list of cleared aspirants was expected on May 20.
The ADC said primary elections for state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats would commence on May 21.
Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 22, while the presidential primary remains fixed for May 25, pending any further adjustment.
Under the approved fee structure, the presidential nomination form costs ₦100m, governorship ₦50m, Senate ₦20m, House of Representatives ₦10m, and State House of Assembly ₦3m.
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