The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has raised the alarm over alleged attempts to replace or alter his party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abbas expressed concern that political pressure may be mounting within the party over its presidential candidacy, warning that any attempt to remove his name without his consent could undermine internal democracy and violate established electoral procedures.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, the ADP presidential candidate said he had received information about alleged moves concerning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
He, however, did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the claim.
Abbas insisted that any decision involving the ADP presidential nomination must be handled in accordance with Nigeria’s electoral laws and the party’s internal regulations.
He specifically referenced the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the Action Democratic Party, as well as applicable guidelines and procedures of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADP candidate warned that secretly withdrawing, replacing or substituting his candidacy without his express approval and without following the required legal process would amount to a serious attack on democratic principles.
“Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters,” Abbas said.
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Abbas defends his emergence as ADP presidential candidate
Abbas also reaffirmed that he emerged as the ADP presidential candidate through the party’s recognised nomination process.
He argued that having secured the ticket through the appropriate internal procedure, any subsequent decision affecting his candidacy must also be subjected to transparent and verifiable processes.
According to him, the presidential mandate should not be regarded as the personal property of any party official or turned into an instrument for political negotiations behind closed doors.
“My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors,” he said.
The statement comes as political parties across Nigeria continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with questions surrounding candidate selection, party primaries and internal structures expected to become increasingly prominent.
ADP leadership urged to protect 2027 presidential ticket
Abbas called on the ADP National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, state chairmen and other party stakeholders to protect the integrity of the presidential nomination process.
He urged the party leadership to ensure that all official documents and records relating to the presidential primary and nomination remain intact and accessible for verification where necessary.
The documents, according to him, include records of the presidential primary, nomination papers, documents submitted to INEC and official communications between the party and the electoral commission.
Abbas said proper preservation of these records would help establish a clear trail of the steps taken by the party in selecting its presidential candidate and could prevent disputes arising from conflicting claims.
He further maintained that any legitimate decision to modify the party’s presidential ticket must be conducted openly and in accordance with the ADP constitution and relevant electoral laws.
Candidate calls for respect for party members
Beyond his personal candidacy, Abbas said the issue should be viewed from the broader perspective of internal democracy and the rights of party members.
He urged ADP leaders and other political stakeholders to respect members and supporters who participated in the processes that produced the party’s presidential candidate.
The candidate cautioned against actions that could weaken confidence in the party’s democratic structures or create unnecessary divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said political parties have a responsibility to ensure that their internal processes are transparent, particularly when such processes determine the candidates who will represent them in national elections.
Abbas maintained that any change to the ADP presidential ticket should be backed by official records, supported by the party’s rules and carried out through procedures recognised by Nigerian electoral law.
He also called on stakeholders to allow democratic mechanisms to determine the party’s candidates rather than relying on undisclosed political arrangements.
“Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria,” Abbas said.
The development adds another layer to the political activities expected to intensify as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
For Abbas, the controversy surrounding the ADP presidential ticket is ultimately about ensuring that the party’s nomination process remains transparent, lawful and accountable to its members.
He therefore urged the party leadership to safeguard the integrity of the process that produced its presidential candidate and ensure that any future decision concerning the ticket is subjected to the appropriate legal and organisational procedures.