The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, has explained why no serving governor has joined the party yet.
According to him, even though the governors have interest in identifying with the party, they are afraid of alleged intimidation by the Federal Government.
Abdullahi made the assertion at the third plenary session of the Northern Political Consultative Group (NPCG), in Abuja, on Saturday.
While declaring that the ADC remained open to everyone, he disclosed that “No serving governor would be willing to cross over because of the intimidation that they are facing.
“We know what they are doing to them. Some of them who cannot jump to their party are saying we are endorsing their presidential candidate. No problem. But what you are seeing is a conspiracy against the Nigerian people.
“The ADC welcomes everybody, but we are convinced that we are a movement that has the backing of the majority of Nigerians who are not happy with the direction this country is going.”
Abdullahi also spoke on the ADC presidential candidate, stressing that the party had not entered into any discussions about who will emerge.
“We don’t have any favourite aspirants or candidates. We are not having any conversation at the moment.
“Nobody has ever had any conversation about who will be the party’s flag bearer. We believe that it is too early in the day.
“Our focus now is to build a political party that is strong enough to deliver on the mission that we have set for ourselves,” he added.
Earlier, Babachir David Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who is also a member of the coalition, had said the ADC would rally round anyone who wins its presidential ticket.
NATIONAL POST reports that the ADC is currently parading Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi as potential presidential aspirants.
The trio have already declared interest to pick the party’s presidential ticket.
As of now, it appears the ADC will throw its ticket open.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the other hand has zoned its ticket to the South, while the All Progressives Congress, APC, has given an automatic ticket to President Bola Tinubu.