Atiku Speaks on Alleged Move to Replace Adamawa ADC Guber Candidate

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged plot to replace the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Engr. Suleiman Umar, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The denial follows days of renewed speculation over the party’s governorship ticket in the state.

Fresh reports had claimed that the ADC was preparing to replace Suleiman Umar with Alhaji Tukur Modibbo and that the move had the backing of Atiku and other senior party leaders in Adamawa.

The reports came after earlier rumours suggesting that APC chieftain Abdulrahman Haske would emerge as the ADC candidate before he eventually returned to the ruling party.

Responding to the allegations, the Atiku Campaign Council described the claims as false, malicious and the handiwork of individuals seeking to create division within the party.

In a statement signed by Atiku’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, the campaign insisted that the former Vice President had neither initiated nor approved any attempt to substitute the party’s governorship candidate in Adamawa or anywhere else in the country.

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 urged party members and the public to ignore the rumours, insisting they were designed to distract the ADC from its 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, 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 clarification came shortly after supporters of Suleiman Umar staged a protest over reports that some party leaders were planning to replace him as the ADC governorship candidate. Although political observers have continued to speculate that the controversy reflects divisions among influential figures within the party in Adamawa, Atiku’s camp has firmly rejected suggestions that he is behind any such move.

Backing Atiku’s position, the Director General of the Omarana Campaign Organisation, Elder Mark Wosi, said there was no crisis within the campaign and insisted that attention remained on preparations for the governorship election.

“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 latest statement also appears to counter recent claims by political analyst Imran Wakili, who had alleged that the decision to replace Suleiman Umar had already been taken with Atiku’s blessing and the support of other senior ADC leaders in the state.

Wakili had argued that the reported move was a “sound political decision” aimed at reviving the party’s fortunes after it allegedly lost momentum.