ADC Appoints Imoke, Abdulfatah Ahmed to Lead Presidential Primary Committees Ahead of 2027 Elections

ADC appoints former governors Liyel Imoke and Abdulfatah Ahmed to lead key presidential primary committees ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

By Folarin Aluko

African Democratic Congress has announced the appointment of former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke and former Kwara State governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to head key presidential primary committees ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the appointments form part of the ADC’s preparations for its presidential and governorship primaries nationwide.

According to the statement, Liyel Imoke will serve as Chairman of the party’s Presidential Screening Committee, while Abdulfatah Ahmed has been appointed Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee.

The ADC said the committees were carefully constituted to strengthen transparency, credibility, fairness, and internal democracy during the conduct of its primaries as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Other members of the Presidential Screening Committee include Cyril Maduabum as Secretary, alongside Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Professor Bode Ayorinde, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Professor David Salifu, and retired Colonel Abubakar Ciroma.

The Presidential Election Committee will also include Professor Yisa Gana as Secretary, supported by retired Major-General Adamu Jalingo, Dr. Auwalu Anwar, Chief Emenike Ikechi, Dr. Macaulay Iyare, Tajudeen Bakare, and several other party officials.

In addition, the ADC constituted a Presidential Appeal Committee chaired by Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, with businessman and politician Ken Imasuagbon serving as Secretary.

The party also unveiled separate governorship screening and appeal panels for its state primaries, appointing senior legal practitioners, former lawmakers, and political figures across different committees.

For the governorship primaries, the first screening panel will be chaired by Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, while the second panel will be headed by Mrs. Justina Abanida.

The ADC said the committees are expected to oversee candidate screening, election supervision, and dispute resolution processes during the party’s internal elections.

Political analysts say the appointments reflect the ADC’s efforts to position itself as a credible alternative platform ahead of 2027, especially at a time when coalition talks, party realignments, and growing dissatisfaction with major political parties continue to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

Observers also note that the involvement of former governors and senior political figures could strengthen the party’s visibility and organizational structure as it seeks to attract influential politicians and voters ahead of the elections.

The ADC has increasingly gained attention in recent months amid discussions around opposition alliances and broader political restructuring ahead of the next election cycle.

As preparations for party primaries continue nationwide, political parties across Nigeria are intensifying consultations, committee formations, and strategic planning in what is expected to become one of the country’s most competitive election periods in recent years.