Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar announced on Monday that “the real opposition has begun” when he formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — ending months of speculation around his next political move. He made the declaration after receiving his ADC membership card in Jada 1 Ward, Adamawa State, marking his first major step since quitting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku passionately called on his followers across Nigeria to register with the ADC, emphasizing that this marks the start of a “new political front” to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “Now I have picked up my membership card of the ADC. Now, the real opposition has begun. We will chase the APC out of government,” he said.
Shehu Yohanna, Adamawa State ADC Chairman, who co-supervised the registration event, announced that Atiku’s membership officially triggers a statewide drive to enroll new party members in every local government and ward. He particularly appealed to young people and women to join the party.
Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, National Secretary of the ADC Registration and Mobilisation Committee, supported Atiku’s message, urging all Nigerians to register to vote and “take ownership of the nation’s political future.”
The occasion was attended by a number of political heavyweights from Adamawa State — including former Governor Bindow Jibrilla, Senator Aishatu Binani, Senator Ahmed Barata, Senator Aziz Nyako, and Senator Ishaku Abbo — signaling a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku left the PDP in July, calling his resignation “heartbreaking,” and claiming the party had drifted from its founding values. He said internal divisions had become irreparable.
Previously, PUNCH Online reported that Atiku and several other opposition leaders had agreed to use the ADC as their vehicle to mount a serious challenge against the APC in 2027. These coalition partners include former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former APC chairman John Oyegun.
