Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has ignited a major upheaval in Nigeria’s political landscape as he formally registered with the African Democratic Congress in Yola. His quiet but symbolic declaration, posted as “It’s official,” ended months of intense speculation and confirmed a sweeping shift within the opposition camp as the 2027 race draws closer.
Atiku arrived in Adamawa to cheering crowds, party leaders, and supporters who filled the streets with chants and banners. He received his ADC membership card and a “Waziri 01” jersey, a nod to his Adamawa heritage and long-standing political identity. The registration followed his July exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, which he co-founded in 1998. He left the party after years of unresolved internal battles and the collapse of its electoral machinery.
His decision comes as a broader coalition of opposition leaders adopts the ADC as a common platform to challenge the ruling APC. The coalition includes figures such as Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, though many delayed formal registration over disputes and logistical setbacks. Adamawa ADC Chairman Shehu Yohanna had recently urged senior figures to complete their registration, a call Atiku answered a day before his seventy-ninth birthday.
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Atiku’s move instantly strengthens the ADC’s national profile. His political network spans northern power blocs, business leaders, and a large support base that has followed him across decades of political bids. Party officials insist his entry poses no conflict and promise an open contest for the presidential ticket. Still, uncertainty lingers over whether Obi and other partners will align fully or chart separate paths, risking a repeat of the fragmentation that weakened the PDP in past elections.
Critics accuse Atiku of political restlessness, pointing to his long history of party shifts. APC supporters have mocked his return to yet another platform, while others dismiss the ADC as an act of desperation. Yet supporters argue the move positions the opposition for a stronger national alliance, combining northern and southern constituencies at a time when the ruling party faces pressure over economic hardship and security failures.
Reactions across Nigeria remain divided. Adamawa residents celebrated through the night, while commentators online questioned whether the ADC can transform Atiku’s influence into a cohesive national force. Atiku has stayed focused on themes of unity and democratic renewal and has praised local ADC leaders for strengthening party structures.
The political terrain ahead of 2027 is shifting once again. Atiku’s defection may reshape alliances, test loyalties, and redraw the contest for power. Whether it becomes the breakthrough the opposition has long sought or another fleeting realignment will unfold in the months ahead. What is certain is that his move has changed the rhythm of Nigeria’s political season and set the stage for a fierce contest.
