Atiku Abubakar Formally Joins African Democratic Congress Ahead of 2027 Nigerian Elections

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition-backed political party positioned as a unified platform for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The registration took place on November 24, 2025, in Adamawa State, Atiku's home region, where he received his membership card amid cheers from supporters. Photographs circulating online captured the moment, with Atiku waving to well-wishers from his vehicle, marking the formalization of a move long anticipated by political observers.

This step follows Atiku's resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025, a party he had been affiliated with for much of his career, including his tenure as vice president from 1999 to 2007. His departure from the PDP, plagued by internal divisions, came shortly after he publicly endorsed the ADC as a collaborative vehicle for opposition leaders. The party, unveiled earlier this year, boasts prominent figures such as former Senate President David Mark as national chairman, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi as national publicity secretary.

Atiku's alignment with the ADC is expected to consolidate fragmented opposition forces, potentially including Labour Party leader Peter Obi and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, into a single front against President Bola Tinubu's administration. During a recent address to ADC stakeholders in Adamawa, Atiku declared, "The people of Adamawa and Nigeria, our new party is ADC," eliciting enthusiastic approval from the crowd.

The move dispels months of speculation regarding Atiku's commitment to the coalition, particularly after his and Obi's absence from the ADC's national secretariat unveiling last week. Analysts view this as a strategic recalibration aimed at mounting a credible challenge in 2027, reshaping the contours of Nigerian politics ahead of the polls.