Dare Babalola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is emerging as the country’s leading opposition force, capable of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
Atiku made the assertion on Saturday following a meeting with stakeholders of the ADC from Adamawa State, who paid him a visit at his Abuja residence on Friday evening.
In a statement reflecting on the meeting, the former presidential candidate expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as both significant and personally moving.
“Yesterday evening, I received stakeholders of the Adamawa State chapter of the ADC at my Abuja residence, a visit that deeply touched me,” he said.
Atiku used the occasion to charge the newly constituted leadership of the party in Adamawa State to prioritise unity and inclusiveness, stressing that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s growth and electoral success.
“I thanked them for the gesture and reminded the new state leadership that unity is now their sacred duty: to heal divisions, carry everyone along, and lead with fairness,” he added.
The former vice president, who has been at the centre of Nigeria’s opposition politics for decades, has recently strengthened his association with the ADC amid ongoing realignments within the political landscape.
His engagement with party stakeholders is widely seen as part of broader efforts to reposition the party ahead of future electoral contests.
With a political career that has spanned multiple parties and presidential contests, Atiku’s involvement is expected to boost the visibility and structure of the ADC, particularly in northern Nigeria and his home state of Adamawa.
Reaffirming his confidence in the party’s trajectory, Atiku declared that the ADC possesses the ideological strength, organisational capacity, and determination required to mount a formidable challenge against the APC.
“I remain convinced that the ADC has risen as Nigeria’s true opposition force—one that is strong in ideals, structure, and resolve, and ready to challenge and defeat the failing APC in the elections ahead,” he stated.
His remarks come at a time when opposition parties in Nigeria are undergoing internal restructuring and exploring alliances to strengthen their chances in upcoming elections.
Political observers note that Atiku’s increasing engagement with the ADC signals a strategic shift that could reshape opposition dynamics, particularly if it attracts other influential figures seeking an alternative platform to challenge the ruling party.
The visit by the Adamawa stakeholders is also viewed as a show of support for Atiku’s leadership within the party’s evolving framework, as efforts intensify to consolidate structures at both state and national levels.
