Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly paused his plan to officially join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as whispers grow louder that former President Goodluck Jonathan is being courted to run for president in 2027.
Atiku had just quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after long-running disputes and was due to collect his ADC membership card in his hometown of Jada, Adamawa State.
The event, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, has now been postponed indefinitely. No official reason has been given by Atiku’s camp.
ADC Adamawa chairman, Shehu Yohana, said: “I spoke with the former vice president on Friday morning. He told me he has shifted the event to mid-August, but no specific date was mentioned.”
“From the way things are going, the event may even get to September. He said he was waiting for some APC governors who plan to join ADC to decamp before his event in Jada,” Yohana added.
Uncertainty Over Atiku, Obi, and Jonathan
Some pundits speculate the delay may be tied to power struggles with former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, whose movement they claim has taken control of ADC structures in the South.
A senior party figure told us: “If things don’t work out for Atiku soon, I see him defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).”
The same source linked the recent suspension of ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai from SDP to fears that Atiku could join and form what he called a “political cartel.”
Meanwhile, top ADC members confirm that Jonathan has held at least three meetings with party leaders. “We are getting a positive response from him. He knows the problems in PDP. Does he want to wrestle with Wike who has the grip on the party?” one insider asked.
Atiku Says He’s Not Afraid of Rivals
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed claims that Jonathan or Obi’s political moves have forced a rethink.
“Atiku Abubakar registered as a member of the ADC in Jada ward. The process is still on. Nothing has been suspended,” Ibe said.
He insisted: “Atiku is a democrat. He cannot be threatened by anyone’s ambition. The more the merrier—let Nigerians have choices.”
ADC Accuses Tinubu of Meddling
Some ADC officials accuse the APC government of working to destabilise the party to block Atiku’s 2027 bid.
“The only person they are scared of is Atiku Abubakar. They don’t want him on the ballot,” said one chieftain.
The party’s interim spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned: “We will resist every form of sponsored attacks. Sweeping away APC in 2027 must be done.”
Since David Mark replaced Ralph Nwosu as ADC chairman, internal protests have erupted. Abdullahi waved them off as “a business for those seeking attention and money.”
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