Manny Ita –
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has commented on the performance of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory council polls, stating that the results indicate the party is unlikely to mount a serious challenge against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to reporters, Omokri said, “The ADC’s showing in the FCT council elections is clear evidence that they do not have the grassroots support required to win a national election against a sitting president like Tinubu. Electoral strength at the local level is often a strong predictor of national performance, and the numbers are not in their favor.”
Omokri noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to enjoy widespread support across key constituencies. “These local elections are a reflection of voter confidence in Tinubu’s administration. While every party has the right to contest, the data suggest that the ADC is far from being competitive at the presidential level,” he said.
He further emphasized that opposition parties must focus on building strong structures at the grassroots before expecting meaningful results in national contests. “It is not enough to have a charismatic candidate or social media presence. Elections in Nigeria are won at the polling units, and ADC has a lot of work to do to even become a viable alternative,” Omokri added.
Political analysts note that while council elections are not fully determinative of presidential outcomes, they provide important insights into party organization, mobilization capacity, and voter sentiment. The ADC, which has historically struggled to translate local-level support into national victories, faces significant challenges in scaling its influence ahead of 2027.
Attempts to reach representatives of the ADC for comment on Omokri’s assessment were unsuccessful as of press time. Observers say the party may need to recalibrate its strategy, strengthen grassroots engagement, and expand its appeal beyond urban strongholds if it intends to mount a credible challenge to Tinubu in the next presidential election.
The FCT council elections, held last week, saw the APC maintain dominance across most wards, while the ADC managed only limited wins in select areas, reinforcing analysts’ views on the party’s national limitations. Omokri’s comments underscore the broader debate about the viability of smaller opposition parties in Nigeria’s political landscape and the challenges they face in competing with established ruling parties.
