The faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Bala has disowned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s registration in Adamawa, insisting he is not yet a recognized member of the party.
This clarification came just hours after Atiku formally obtained his ADC membership card from Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State.
According to a statement released in Abuja by the ADC Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher Okechukwu, the party declared that Adamawa’s registration exercise was invalid and breached internal rules.
He stated, “This registration was conducted by individuals not recognized by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lacked authority to register new members.
“We have consistently urged Mr. Abubakar to complete his registration with the duly constituted and authentic party executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take.”
The faction warned that Atiku’s activities could be part of a “broader strategy to leverage the ADC while awaiting reconciliation with the Peoples Democratic Party,” pointing out that similar trends had already been detected.
Okechukwu urged the former vice president to follow due process, emphasizing that the ADC “is not a vehicle for personal ambition but a movement committed to democratic renewal,” and promising him full membership privileges once he officially registers with the authorized ward structure.
The retort comes as the ADC is mired in a leadership conflict, with the validity of David Mark’s national leadership being challenged in the Federal High Court—an issue the party claims must be resolved before integrating coalition partners, including Atiku’s camp.
Atiku resigned from the People’s Democratic Party in July, accusing it of betraying its goals, and declared on Monday that “the real opposition has begun” when he collected his ADC card amid shouts in Adamawa.
“Now I have picked up my membership card of the ADC. Now, the real opposition has begun. We will chase the APC out of government,” he stated.
His registration was co-supervised by Adamawa ADC chairman Shehu Yohanna and the ADC Registration and Mobilization Committee, in the presence of major politicians such as former Governor Bindow Jibrilla and Senator Aishatu Binani, indicating a substantial political shift ahead of 2027.
Atiku’s decision is consistent with a broader opposition coalition that includes the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Kaduna’s Nasir el-Rufai, ex-SGFG Babachir Lawal, and others, who had agreed to use the ADC as a single platform against the ruling APC.
However, with significant resistance from the ADC factional leadership, Atiku’s membership status may become a new source of friction within the opposition camp.
