ADC National Convention: Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi Demand Unity and Data-Driven Leadership for 2027

Opposition leaders Atiku, Peter Obi, and Amaechi rally at the ADC convention, demanding a credible 2027 candidate and warning of Nigeria's N200trn debt.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 6:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Leadership

A Call to End Sectional Politics

The 2026 national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) served as a rallying point for high-profile opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governors Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi stressed that the 2027 presidential election can only be won if the party presents a widely acceptable candidate who transcends sectional interests. He drew parallels to the formation of the APC, where leaders intentionally set aside religious and ethnic sentiments to build a national platform, expressing regret that the country has since regressed into divisive identity politics.

Economic Realities Over Identity

Amaechi urged Nigerians to adopt economic pragmatism, famously noting that "there is no Muslim market, no Christian market; the market is Naira." He argued that the current national challenges are exacerbated by discourse dominated by ethnicity rather than competence. By focusing on currency value and shared prosperity, Amaechi believes the ADC can offer a viable alternative to voters tired of sectionalism. He encouraged party members to prioritize merit and broad national appeal in their upcoming selection processes.

Data-Driven Alarm from Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, provided a sobering assessment of the nation’s trajectory using specific economic and security data. He highlighted that Nigeria’s debt has surged from N87 trillion to approximately N200 trillion, noting that borrowing has continued to climb despite the removal of subsidies. On the security front, Obi pointed out that Nigeria has deteriorated from fourth to eighth in global terrorism rankings. He warned that without collective action and a move toward evidence-based governance, the country faces a risk of complete economic collapse.