Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is expected to formally register as a member of the African Democratic Congress today (Monday), a move that could reshape the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, who addressed ADC supporters and stakeholders in Adamawa at the weekend, confirmed his decision to sign up with the coalition party on Monday.
An aide to the former vice president, Abdul Rasheeth, disclosed this on Sunday.
“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is set to officially join the ADC tomorrow, a move that could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape.
“During his speech to ADC supporters and stakeholders in Adamawa State, he announced his plan to register with the African Democratic Congress on Monday,” he stated via his X account.
According to him, Atiku’s planned registration marks a decisive step in the broader opposition realignment currently underway.
Though Atiku in July led the adoption of the ADC as the coalition platform for opposition figures to challenge Presicent Bola Tinubu in 2027, he and other prominent opposition figures, such as Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal, had delayed their formal registration with the party.
Last week, the Adamawa State ADC Chairman, Shehu Yohanna, urged former vice president, Babachir Lawal, and other key figures to officially register as authentic members of the party.
Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Yohanna disclosed that Atiku would be in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, for his birthday and other activities in his hometown of Jada Local Government Area this week.
“I spoke with the former Vice President on Tuesday morning after his arrival in Nigeria, and he told me he would be in Yola for his birthday celebration and the distribution of some items to people in Jada,” Yohanna said.
“I believe he will use the visit to officially register his membership and collect his card.
I think the former SGF and other intending members will do the same to legalise their membership,” he added.
The planned move comes barely 48 hours after the ADC cleared the air on why both Atiku and Obi were absent at the unveiling of the party’s new national secretariat in Abuja on November 17.
The ADC leadership dismissed speculation that Obi shunned the ceremony because the building—now serving as the party’s secretariat—was formerly used as Atiku’s campaign office.
The event was attended by ADC National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, but both Atiku and Obi were missing and issued no formal explanation.
Mark described the new office as a symbol of the coalition’s ambition to redefine Nigeria’s political future.
“It is a physical testament to our collective resolve to build a greater nation. This ADC coalition is a historic child of necessity, inspired by people’s desire for good governance, greater accountability, and a stronger democracy,” he said.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also dismissed claims of disunity, insisting neither Obi nor Atiku had withdrawn support for the coalition.
“The programme was impromptu; most of the party leaders were not in attendance. Obi was out of the country, and Atiku wasn’t available.
There’s nothing to suggest that Peter Obi is withdrawing from the coalition. He is still with us,” he said.
He further clarified that the building had no ties to Atiku beyond his expired tenancy.
“Let me state again that Atiku isn’t the owner of the building, and he didn’t donate it to the ADC. He leased the building, and his rent had expired. The ADC rented the building.”
Abdullahi maintained that there was no rift within the party, adding that its leaders remain united in their push to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Amid Atiku’s move, Obi has remained silent, with his allies insisting he is only taking time to make the “right decision.”
Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, dismissed rumours that Obi may be preparing to exit the coalition.
“No, Obi is not abandoning the ADC coalition. I don’t know where that speculation is coming from. He will make a statement soon because he needs to get it right now that a lot of people are showing interest in him,” he said.
Tanko stressed that Obi was being cautious about where to seek his 2027 presidential ticket.
“He doesn’t want to be in a place where he will feel trapped. So he needs to be extremely careful where he gets his ticket.
“Our hope is that since the presidency is the turn of a southern candidate, the ADC will be looking to give him the ticket.”
He added that Obi’s timeline remains unchanged.
“Already, he said he would make his intention known after the Anambra election. And he will do it at the appropriate time. He shouldn’t be pressured,” he said.
