A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Bala has rejected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s membership registration, declaring it invalid and unauthorised.
The rejection came only hours after Atiku picked up an ADC membership card at his Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State.
In a statement released in Abuja, the ADC Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher Okechukwu, said the exercise that produced Atiku’s registration did not comply with the party’s official procedures.
“This registration was conducted by individuals not recognised by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lacked authority to register new members,” Okechukwu said.
According to him, Atiku had been repeatedly advised to register through the “authentic ward executives” in his constituency but had not followed the directive.
He warned that the former vice president’s sudden move may be part of a “broader strategy to leverage the ADC while awaiting reconciliation with the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The faction accused Atiku of attempting a pattern seen before, where political figures allegedly use the ADC as a temporary platform during negotiations with other parties.
It stressed that the ADC “is not a vehicle for personal ambition but a movement committed to democratic renewal.”
Okechukwu said Atiku would be granted full membership rights if he completes his registration with the recognised ward structure.
The dispute comes at a time when the ADC is grappling with its own internal leadership crisis.
The legitimacy of David Mark’s national leadership remains the subject of a case before the Federal High Court — a matter the party insists must be resolved before admitting new coalition partners, including Atiku’s allies.
Atiku officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July after accusing it of abandoning its founding principles. Receiving his ADC card on Monday, he declared:
“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.”
His registration in Jada was supervised by Adamawa ADC chairman Shehu Yohanna and the ADC Registration and Mobilisation Committee.
The event attracted several political figures, including former Adamawa Governor Bindow Jibrilla and Senator Aishatu Binani.
Atiku’s move aligns with a broader opposition realignment involving prominent politicians such as Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir el-Rufai and Babachir Lawal figures linked to a proposed coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).