THE political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election grew more turbulent on Monday after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that immediately provoked harsh reactions from All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and intensified an existing leadership crisis within the ADC.
News Point Nigeria reports that Atiku, who picked up his ADC membership card at his Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, declared that “the real opposition has begun,” signalling his ambition to lead a broad coalition seeking to unseat the ruling APC in 2027.
But his announcement was swiftly met with criticisms, internal resistance, and political drama.
Former Edo State governor and APC stalwart, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, launched a blistering attack on Atiku during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, describing the former vice president as a “serial loser” who had neither stabilised nor reformed any political party he ever joined.
According to Oshiomhole, Atiku’s movement across political parties shows a pattern of abandoning ship whenever he fails to secure a presidential ticket.
“This was a man who, as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, decamped from the PDP rather than reform it,” Oshiomhole said. “He joined the APC as a founding member, lost the primary to Buhari, and immediately returned to the PDP. If you cannot fix your own party, how can you lead a nation?”
He further argued that Atiku’s only electoral victory came as Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate, a relationship that later deteriorated.
Similarly, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, told The PUNCH that the opposition landscape remained too unstable to determine who the main challenger to the ruling party might be.
“If Atiku says opposition is just beginning months to the 2027 election, then we truly don’t know which party stands where,” Duru said. “But we will not underrate anyone.”
While Atiku’s registration drew a crowd of supporters and top political figures—including former Adamawa Governor Bindow Jibrilla and Senator Aishatu Binani—the ADC immediately became engulfed in controversy.
A faction of the party, led by Nafiu Bala, rejected Atiku’s entry entirely.
In a statement signed by ADC Director of Media, Christopher Okechukwu, the faction insisted Atiku was “not yet a recognised member,” arguing that the officials who registered him lacked the authority to do so.
“This registration was conducted by individuals not recognised by the national headquarters,” the statement read. “We have urged Mr. Abubakar to complete his registration through the authentic party executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take.”
The faction hinted that Atiku’s move may be a tactical manoeuvre while awaiting possible reconciliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from which he resigned in July citing “irreconcilable differences.”
The ADC is currently battling a leadership tussle before the Federal High Court over the legitimacy of the David Mark-led national hierarchy, complicating the integration of a new coalition involving Atiku, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir el-Rufai, Babachir Lawal and others.
Adding to the drama, Atiku’s close ally and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, refused to attend the registration ceremony.
Speaking from his Abuja residence, Lawal said Atiku abruptly shifted the event from Sunday to Monday without adequate notice.
“I arrived Yola for the ceremony. Atiku suddenly changed the date,” he said. “You cannot change gear while the car is in motion. I told him my absence could be misinterpreted, but he didn’t listen.”
Lawal’s boycott has sparked speculation about internal disagreements within the emerging coalition.
Atiku’s registration was conducted by Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, Secretary of the ADC Registration and Mobilisation Committee, who described the event as the start of a statewide membership drive.
Addressing supporters, Atiku vowed to “chase the APC out of government” in the next election. “I have picked my membership card. Now the real opposition has begun,” he declared.
Adamawa ADC chairman, Shehu Yohanna, echoed the remarks, saying the party would roll out a massive mobilisation exercise across all 21 LGAs.
Prominent politicians at the event included former govenor, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako and Senator Ishaku Abbo.