Former vice-president declares ADC as Nigeria’s rescue platform ahead of 2027 polls as political rivals question his credibility
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the only political party capable of rescuing Nigeria from its worsening economic and security challenges. Atiku made the remark during the inauguration of the ADC’s Taraba State office in Jalingo.
Speaking just days after his official defection to the ADC, 17 months before the 2027 general elections Atiku said he and several other politicians had belonged to various political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but concluded that those platforms lacked the capacity to reposition the country.
“We have tasted other political parties, and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty, and unemployment,” Atiku told supporters. He urged Taraba residents to participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration if they were serious about changing the country’s trajectory.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new ADC office, and I want you to hold this party with integrity,” he said. “The youths and women should know that we are doing this for their future. ADC will win Taraba State and win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”
Atiku formally left the PDP on July 16, citing deep internal divisions, ending a long-standing association with the opposition party. His move to the ADC follows a wave of high-profile defections, including that of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who unveiled his ADC membership card earlier in the week.
Oshiomhole Responds: “Atiku Lacks Capacity to Fix Nigeria”
Atiku’s claims drew swift criticism from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who said the former vice president had not demonstrated the leadership ability he now promises Nigerians.
Featuring as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshiomhole argued that Atiku’s inability to stabilise the PDP undermines his new assertion that he can fix Nigeria.
“If Atiku, as a former vice president under the PDP, could not fix the PDP or provide direction despite all the influence he accumulated, how can he claim he can fix Nigeria?” Oshiomhole asked.
The former APC National Chairman also referenced Atiku’s past party switches, saying his exit from the APC was driven by his failure to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
“He left APC because he lost the presidential ticket. He went back to the PDP, he loved PDP enough to seek its ticket but still could not build it,” Oshiomhole said. “So if Atiku can’t rebuild the PDP, the party that made him vice president, how can he fix Nigeria?”
The remarks came as the ADC leadership, led by National Chairman and former Senate President David Mark, continued unveiling new party offices nationwide, signalling a growing coalition ahead of the 2027 polls.
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