Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that zoning is not a constitutional provision of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressing that the party has no plan to zone its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the clarification during a courtesy visit to former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State.
According to Atiku, zoning is not embedded in the ADC’s constitution, noting that the party does not operate a system of rotational presidency or constitutionally mandated zoning of elective offices. He explained that, among Nigeria’s major political parties, only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoning formally enshrined in its constitution.
The former vice president said the ADC’s structure allows for open competition, adding that the party’s internal rules do not restrict presidential aspirations to any particular region of the country.
However, Atiku declined to confirm whether he intends to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the ADC. While addressing the zoning debate, he neither declared his ambition nor ruled himself out of the race, a development that has continued to fuel political speculation about his next move ahead of the polls.
Atiku, who was a presidential candidate in the last general election, also spoke on the ongoing national debate surrounding electronic transmission of election results. The issue has gained renewed attention following recent amendments to the Electoral Act and remains a major point of contention in Nigeria’s electoral reform discussions.
His comments come amid heightened political activities and early alignments as parties and stakeholders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
