Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially joined the African Democratic Congress, 17 months before the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, 78, shared the news on his official X handle on Monday with a photo of himself holding the party membership card, writing simply, “It’s official.”
Before joining ADC, he was a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but resigned on July 16, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction. He said, “I found it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which diverges from the foundational principles it stood for.”
Though he led the adoption of ADC as the coalition platform for opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal, in July 2025, Atiku and other leaders had delayed formally registering with the party. Their absence during the unveiling of the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja had fueled speculation about the coalition’s commitment.
The coalition officially adopted ADC on July 2, 2025, as its political platform for the 2027 elections. ADC Chairman and former Senate President David Mark said, “Let it be known to all that 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 also criticized the current government, alleging that it “had hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent the country on a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship” and was “consumed with politicking” instead of governance.
