The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled the key qualities it will demand from aspirants seeking to contest under its platform in 2027.

Speaking at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark said the party would field only candidates who meet its “four-pillar standard” of character, competence, courage, and discipline.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been championing the coalition idea since his defeat as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 and has emerged as one of the ADC’s leaders, is widely believed to be positioning himself for another presidential bid after six previous attempts. His decision to champion the emergence of the coalition is seen as a strategic move to lead a united opposition front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

However, there have been persistent speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan may also emerge as a consensus candidate within the coalition, given his close ties to some influential southern and northern blocs within the ADC. Party insiders say Jonathan’s name continues to feature prominently in informal consultations, although he has yet to make any public statement on the matter.

Penultimate week, Jonathan visited Mark at his Abuja residence. Mark was Senate President during the administration of Jonathan between 2010-2015. While the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, told Daily Trust the visit was private, observers believe it could be linked to 2027 permutations, with the ADC said to be considering the acceptability of a Jonathan candidacy.

Meanwhile, both 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have openly indicated interest in contesting, even pledging to serve only a single term under a North-South zoning arrangement. The declaration, analysts say, could shape negotiations within the ADC coalition as it works to finalise its power-sharing and zoning arrangements ahead of 2027.

But speaking on Tuesday, Mark said, “We will field only credible and viable candidates who meet our four-pillar standard. Nigerians will accept nothing less.”