Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has
formally joined the African Democratic Party (ADC), marking a major
shift in Nigeria’s political landscape just 17 months before the 2027
general elections.
Atiku announced the move on Monday in a short post on
his official X handle, where he shared photos of himself holding the ADC
membership card with the caption: “It’s official.”
Exit From PDP
The 78-year-old politician had on July 16
resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing irreconcilable
differences and what he described as a departure from the party’s founding
ideals.
According to him, the PDP’s current direction
“diverges significantly” from the principles it once upheld, compelling him to
step aside.
Delayed Formal Entry Into ADC
Although Atiku championed the adoption of the ADC as
the coalition platform for opposition figures earlier in July, he and several
key figures — including Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal — had
delayed their official registration.
Their absence at the unveiling of the ADC National
Secretariat in Wuse, Abuja, raised questions about their commitment to the
coalition’s mission and fuelled speculation about internal disagreements.
Coalition’s Mission: ‘Rescue and Rebuild
Nigeria’
On July 2, 2025, multiple opposition groups
formally adopted the ADC as their united political platform for the 2027
elections. The coalition insists its purpose goes beyond political power.
ADC National Chairman and former Senate President David
Mark declared:
“This coalition of national political opposition
groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild
the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. The mission is clear: Rescue
Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people.”
Mark accused the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) government of hijacking democratic institutions, saying Nigeria had
been on a “creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship” over the past two
years.
He added that the government had become overly
consumed with political survival and had abandoned meaningful governance.
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