Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally joined the African Democratic Party (ADC), marking a major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape barely 17 months ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the announcement on Monday through a brief post on his official X handle, where he shared photos of himself holding the ADC membership card, accompanied by the caption: “It’s official.”
Until recently, the 78-year-old politician was a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party he left on July 16 after citing irreconcilable differences and a direction he said no longer aligned with its founding ideals.
Although Atiku was instrumental in endorsing the ADC in July as the political vehicle for a broad opposition coalition hoping to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, he and several key opposition leaders, such as Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal, had not immediately completed their formal registration with the party.
Their noticeable absence during the inauguration of the ADC National Secretariat in Wuse, Abuja, had previously intensified speculation about the coalition’s commitment and unity.
The ADC became the official opposition coalition platform on July 2, 2025, with leaders positioning it as the instrument to rescue Nigeria from what they described as democratic decline.
At the time, ADC Chairman and former Senate President David Mark declared:
“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 accused the APC-led Federal Government of undermining democratic institutions and driving the country toward what he called a “creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship”, arguing that governance had been overshadowed by constant political maneuvering.
