Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has held a high-level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) at his Abuja residence, fuelling fresh conversations around opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which took place at the weekend, was confirmed on Sunday by the ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who described it as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with key democratic stakeholders across the country.
“The national leadership of the ADP, led by the National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders,” Sani said in a statement issued in Abuja.
According to him, discussions centred on the protection of democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 polls.
He stressed the need to preserve democratic competition, ensure constitutionally compliant political platforms and promote responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.
Sani dismissed speculation that the meeting was aimed at a party merger or recruitment drive, insisting that it formed part of broader consultations with senior political actors.
“ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally,” he said.
Despite the clarification, political observers note that the meeting comes amid growing speculation about possible opposition realignments, including rumours of a potential Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance to contest the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket, raising questions about strategic manoeuvres ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of forcing civil servants and government workers in several states to participate in its ongoing electronic registration exercise.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged practice as economic coercion and forced membership, warning that compelling public servants to join a political party violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and undermines the neutrality of the civil service.
The party said it had received consistent reports indicating that workers were being pressured to register with the APC as a condition for job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood, a situation it described as unacceptable in a democratic society.
In a related development, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party remains a formidable political force despite the exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Otti spoke on Saturday night at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja, acknowledging recent defections but insisting that the party remains resilient.
“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” he said.
He announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee, organise congresses from the ward to national levels beginning in March, and validate the party’s membership register.
Also speaking on the evolving political landscape, the Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Ogidi, said the PDP was intensifying efforts to restore internal cohesion and build broad alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ogidi said the party remained committed to defending democracy and repositioning itself as a credible opposition, warning that continued erosion of democratic institutions could plunge the country into instability.
He accused the APC of prioritising electoral calculations over governance and assured Nigerians that the PDP would do everything within its capacity to protect democratic governance and national unity.
