Political Earthquake: Atiku Abubakar Officially Joins ADC in Adamawa, Confirms Party Switch

In a move that has been widely anticipated and debated for months, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially completed his party switch, formalizing his membership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in his home state of Adamawa today.

The official registration reportedly took place in the context of his upcoming birthday celebration in Yola, Adamawa State, where the former Vice President received his ADC membership card, solidifying his new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Third Departure from PDP

Atiku Abubakar’s defection marks his third departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party he had represented in the 2023 presidential election. Sources close to the former Vice President cited “irreconcilable differences” and a profound loss of faith in the PDP’s current leadership and direction as the primary reasons for his exit.

• A Coalition Platform: Atiku’s move is seen not just as a personal party switch, but as a strategic attempt to form a Grand Opposition Coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC has become the designated platform for this coalition, which reportedly includes other major political figures.

• The 2027 Race: Analysts suggest this defection is part of an early, aggressive political realignment strategy to challenge the APC’s growing dominance and prevent one-party rule in Nigeria. Atiku, a perennial presidential aspirant, is widely expected to make his seventh run for the presidency on the ADC ticket.

Significance of the Adamawa Registration
The choice of Adamawa State for the official registration holds significant political weight:

• Home Base Consolidation: Adamawa is Atiku’s home state and a crucial political stronghold. Formally registering there is a move to consolidate his local support base and signal the grassroots strength of his new political venture.
• ADC’s New Status: The acquisition of a figure of Atiku’s national stature immediately thrusts the ADC, a traditionally smaller party, into the spotlight, instantly positioning it as a major contender and potentially the main opposition force in Nigeria.

The development is expected to have ripple effects across the Nigerian political landscape, deepening the internal crises within the PDP and setting the stage for a fiercely contested 2027 election.