- ADC, A Movement, Not Platform For Personal Ambition, Faction Tells Ex VP
- Oshiomhole: If He Can’t Fix PDP, He Can’t Fix Nigeria
A wave of mixed reactions has trailed the defection of former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development that has stirred the political landscape and triggered intense debate across party lines.
TheMatrix Newspaper reports that Atiku officially joined ADC, the coalition-backed party he is expected to align with ahead of the 2027 elections, on Monday.
In an announcement on Monday through his X handle, Atiku posted a photo of himself holding his ADC membership card with the brief caption, “It’s official.”
His move follows his July resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which had been mired in a prolonged internal crisis.
However, the national leadership of a faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, has kicked against the membership status of Atiku Abubakar.
The factional ADC stated that Atiku’s recent registration at the Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area was not conducted by officials recognised by the party’s national headquarters.
The party emphasised that it has repeatedly advised Atiku to complete his membership registration with the duly constituted and authentic ward executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher O. Okechukwu, ADC described the development as a violation of its constitution and established procedures.
According to him, “This registration was conducted through individuals who are not recognized by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lack the authority to register new members.
“We have consistently urged Mr. Abubakar to complete his registration with the duly constituted and authentic party executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take.”
The party appealed to the former vice president and his associates to approach the situation with understanding, stressing that ADC is not a vehicle for personal ambition but a movement committed to democratic renewal.
“The ADC national leadership finds this action to be inconsistent with the party’s constitution and procedures. We are concerned that it may be part of a broader strategy to leverage the ADC while awaiting reconciliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a pattern we have observed in the past.
“We once again call on Mr. Abubakar to regularize his membership by registering with the officially recognised party leadership in his local government. Upon doing so, he will be afforded all rights and privileges as stipulated by the ADC constitution.
“The ADC is presently navigating a leadership dispute, with a case pending at the Federal High Court regarding the legitimacy of David Mark’s leadership. It is against this backdrop that coalition partners’ and Atiku Abubakar’s potential membership is being considered.
“However, we urge the former Vice President and his coalition partners to approach this moment with understanding. Our party is not merely a platform for individual ambition, it is a movement for democratic renewal.
“The ADC remains committed to transparency, democratic process, respect for the existing leadership structures and the rules guiding the operation of the party.
“We look forward to a collaborative engagement to strengthen unity and stability within the ADC,” Okechukwu stated.
Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has mocked Abubakar over his recent defection, arguing that he lacks the competence to govern Nigeria.
Oshiomhole made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, hours after Atiku formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The former vice-president had taken to X to share a photo of himself holding his ADC membership card with the caption: “It’s official.”
Reacting to the development, Oshiomhole said Atiku’s inability to stabilise or reform the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—where he served as vice-president—undermines his claims that he can transform Nigeria.
“If Atiku, as a former vice-president under the PDP could not fix the PDP, could not reconstruct it, and could not provide leadership despite the influence he built, how can he claim he will fix Nigeria?” Oshiomhole asked.
The senator also accused Atiku of switching parties solely to pursue his presidential ambition, recalling his exit from the APC after he failed to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
“He was once a member of the APC. He left because he lost the presidential ticket. He went back to the PDP, at least to contest. He couldn’t build the PDP that made him vice-president. So how can he fix Nigeria?” he added.
