List of Former Governors Who Rejected ADC Links

The 2027 general election is coming and speculation is mounting about alliances and defections that could reshape the country’s balance of power. 

A coalition of opposition leaders, spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, recently announced the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The coalition, which has been described by some as the “new bride” of opposition politics, has attracted interest from several influential figures, including Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and former governors like Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers.

But while reports suggested that more former governors were rallying behind the coalition, at least three prominent names have come out publicly to reject any ties with the ADC.

Samuel Ortom

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, made it clear that he has no plans to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

He dismissed claims that he was in talks to join the ADC, stressing that he remains firmly rooted in the PDP as its leader in Benue. Although Ortom acknowledged that politicians have the constitutional right to move across party lines, he insisted that such reports about him were unfounded.

Kayode Fayemi

Former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, also refuted suggestions that he was part of the coalition’s formation. Reports had linked him and Rotimi Amaechi as co-founders of the new opposition alliance. 

But in a statement released through his media office, Fayemi described the claim as false and misleading. He emphasized that he had no involvement with the ADC and distanced himself from any speculation tying him to Atiku’s political movement.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode went a step further by publicly affirming his support for the APC and President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Ambode denounced publications suggesting that he intended to join the ADC as a “distraction.” 

He described Tinubu as a proven leader who had made visible progress in reforms ranging from pensions to education finance. By reiterating his loyalty to the APC, Ambode effectively shut down any suggestion of an impending defection.

What this means for 2027

The denials from Ortom, Fayemi, and Ambode highlight the fluid and often unpredictable nature of Nigerian politics. 

While Atiku’s coalition is gathering momentum with high-profile figures like Obi and Amaechi, the refusal of some ex-governors to align with the ADC shows that not all opposition heavyweights are on the same page.

For Tinubu, these denials may provide some relief, as they weaken the perception of a united opposition front. 

For Atiku and his allies, however, it signals that building a formidable coalition capable of unseating an incumbent president will require not just strategy, but also broader consensus among Nigeria’s political class.