Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is expected to formally pick up his membership card of the African Democratic Congress today in Jada, Adamawa State.
His close aides confirmed that all arrangements for the registration at Jada Ward 1 have been concluded.
Atiku had earlier met with the Adamawa ADC leadership in Yola where he spoke openly about his next political move.
During the meeting, he told party members, “In Nigeria as a whole, there is a new political movement, is it not so? Today, the new movement has taken us to where? To the ADC. So, the people of Adamawa and Nigeria, our new party is ADC.”
He also assured supporters that he would be officially received into the party today, asking them, “Will you accept me?” The crowd responded, “Yes.”
The development ends weeks of speculation about his level of commitment to the opposition coalition that adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 presidential election.
Party officials had earlier blamed the delay on the unavailability of new membership cards approved by the ADC’s new national leadership.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, explained that “the cards used before are invalid since the emergence of the new leadership,” adding that only cards signed by Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola are now recognised.
Aregbesola had announced the commencement of fresh registration on November 19, saying he had already completed his own symbolic registration in Osun State.
“I urge all members to validate their membership and new entrants to register,” he said.
Atiku’s entry comes at a time the ADC is battling a leadership tussle in Adamawa. The state chapter is split into three factions loyal to Babachir Lawal, Senator Aishatu Binani and incumbent chairman Shehu Yohanna.
Although Atiku previously congratulated Sadiq Dasin, who is backed by the National Working Committee, he met with Yohanna on Sunday and indicated he would receive his card from him, showing his recognition of Yohanna’s leadership.
Yohanna confirmed he would be present in Jada today but declined comments on the rift due to pending court matters.
Analysts say Atiku’s registration could reshape the opposition ahead of 2027. Political commentator Ismail Mohammed described the move as “a big moment for the party,” adding that Atiku’s influence and followership could energise the ADC across the country.
“It is a big moment for the opposition. The APC is going to have a very tough time,” he said.
He also claimed that the leadership crisis in Adamawa had been resolved through Atiku’s intervention.
