THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State has given former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and other prominent figures within the party until the end of the year (December) to regularize their membership or risk being stripped of recognition.
News Point Nigeria reports that the warning was issued in Yola by the Adamawa State Chairman of the ADC, Shehu Yohanna, who insisted that only those with valid membership cards obtained from their wards would be considered legitimate party members.
“Atiku Abubakar should go to his ward in Jada Local Government and register; Babachir should go to his ward in Hong Local Government and register. That is the only way they can be treated as legitimate members of the party,” Yohanna declared.
He argued that it was unconstitutional for anyone to hold influence or leadership positions in the party without formal registration, saying such an arrangement would reduce the ADC to a “caricature.”
The ultimatum comes days after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, reaffirmed a caucus resolution directing coalition members to resign from their current parties and register fully with the ADC. That directive was promptly dismissed by both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This newspaper gathered that Atiku’s highly anticipated membership registration exercise, scheduled for August in his hometown of Jada, was suspended indefinitely without explanation.
Insiders suggest that the former Vice President is weighing his options as he eyes the ADC’s presidential ticket, particularly against the backdrop of the rising influence of Peter Obi’s political movement within the party.
Yohanna maintained that the ruling APC and opposition PDP had lost their grip on the Nigerian political space, adding that the ADC was poised to take advantage of what he described as “unfriendly government policies” to position itself for victory in the 2027 elections.
“The unfriendly policies of the present government have paved the way for our party to take over and reposition the country for authentic democracy,” he asserted.
On the alleged crisis in the Adamawa ADC, Yohanna insisted that he remained the authentic state chairman, stressing that his tenure runs until 2026 according to the party’s constitution.
“The ADC is not the estate of anyone; it is a political party registered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo,” he added.
He further boasted that the credentials of ADC governorship aspirants in Adamawa rank among the strongest in the country.
With the ultimatum hanging, all eyes are now on Atiku and Babachir to see whether they will comply with the directive or risk being sidelined in the ADC’s plans for 2027.
