The attempts by the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) to position itself as a unified platform for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections has suffered a setback. Contrary to the initial optimism that followed its adoption as a platform for the coalition, the party leadership is now in a dilemma over the membership status of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi. The presence of the two high-profile figures in the ADC is seen as a morale booster to the coalition and their formal membership crucial to ensure smooth processes for the next general elections. To leverage Obi?s massive support base, the Obidient Movement, as well as Atiku?s large following, especially in the North, their formal membership is critical to ensure widespread support for the coalition platform across the states.

Sunday Sun findings, however, revealed that concern is already rising because the lack of formalised membership papers for the two heavy weights creates a legal vulnerability for the coalition?s 2027 plans. To field a candidate in an election, a politician must be a legitimate, registered member of the party. The lack of formalized membership papers for the two high-profile figures has created a crisis of confidence within the fold.

Peter Obi has publicly endorsed and supported the adoption of the ADC as the unified platform for a new opposition coalition, and he has been attending coalition meetings, according to media report. However, he has not formally registered as a card-carrying member of the party.

Similar reports also confirmed that the party leadership is worried that Atiku has either delayed his planned full defection or that the full formal process of registration as a card-carrying member of the ADC is still being finalized. Though he has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his public declaration of support for the adoption of the ADC as a platform for the new emerging coalition, he has not fully registered in his ward in his Adamawa home state. His spokesperson, Paul Ibe, told Sunday Sun that the process of formalising his full membership was still in progress.

This indicates that there is a confusion between his public political alignment with the ADC-led coalition and his formal registration as a party member. The ensuing crisis of confidence, according to a close source, is already causing internal friction and instability within the party. Consequently, some concerned ADC members and coalition partners have been pushing for clarity and commitment. They fear that a loosely defined coalition could collapse or be hijacked by opportunists if the major political heavyweights do not submit to the party structure.

ADC leaders have publicly directed Atiku, Obi and other chieftains to formalise their membership, stressing that the party doesn?t have time to waste and needs people to formally join the fold. The new leadership, led by former Senate President David Mark, has even issued a warning that members are either in ADC or not. While Atiku has officially resigned from the PDP, the perceived delay or ambiguity in his final registration with the ADC creates uncertainty, especially given his ambition to contest in 2027. Some party figures reportedly feel that he, like Obi, needs to fully commit by formalizing his status.

?The ADC needs to consolidate its new political strength quickly. The final membership status of Atiku and Obi is central to resolving issues like candidate selection, power-sharing, and unifying the party?s platform for a frontal challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),? a concerned source told Sunday Sun.

Unresolved leadership questions

One of the reasons for the prolonged hesitation of the two political heavyweights is the unresolved leadership tussle in the party. Since its adoption as a platform for the coalition, ADC has been experiencing significant turmoil. A faction within the party has voiced strong opposition to the coalition?s adoption of the party, accusing the leadership of making a deal without proper consultation.

Its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has publicly accused the new coalition of attempting to hijack the party structure. Despite the installation of an interim leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, internal dissention is still persisting. This is part of the reason for internal friction that raises questions about the alliance?s stability and ideological direction.

The A?C is a smaller, traditionally regional party that is suddenly being thrust into the national spotlight. Atiku and Obi are likely observing whether the party can successfully consolidate the support of the various coalition partners and whether it can withstand the internal pressure without fracturing before the elections. The delay in formal membership allows both leaders to keep their options open and avoid being tied to a platform that may not guarantee their ultimate ambition. Though the presidential ticket has been thrown open, the coalition is reportedly divided over who should be its flag bearer. Speculation is rife that if Atiku is denied the ADC ticket, he may seek other political arrangements.

Atiku?s non-committal

The Chairman of the ADC in Adamawa has reportedly confirmed that Atiku is not officially a member of the party yet. His full membership Is critical. Until he formally registers with the ADC, his political future remains somewhat uncommitted, potentially delaying the party?s full mobilisation and raising internal questions about his primary platform for the 2027 presidential election.

The actions of figures like Nasir El-Rufai has strongly confirmed that Atiku might be exploring the possibility of employing a Plan B strategy?or even multiple parallel strategies?due to the instability of the party.

El-Rufai was involved in a direct attempt to register a new party as a backup plan, indicating a clear lack of full confidence in the existing platforms. El-Rufai, alongside Atiku and Rotimi Amaechi are said to have officially applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a new political party. This move has been explicitly described as a strategic step to provide an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai had earlier defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and he has ruled out contesting any political office in 2027. Instead, he is focusing on supporting credible leadership.

Despite leaving the PDP, there are continuous reports of Atiku holding high-level talks with PDP leaders and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, suggesting the possibility of a return or strong alliance with his former party if the ADC coalition fails to stabilise.

By maintaining contacts with PDP, Atiku?s action demonstrates that the opposition movement does not have absolute faith in the ADC platform?s long-term viability. The ADC needs to consolidate its new political strength quickly. The final membership status of Atiku and Obi is central to resolving issues like candidate selection, power-sharing, and unifying the party?s platform for a frontal challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Reacting to all speculations milling around, Paul Ibe maintained that his boss remained a committed member of the ADC. He insists that the former Vice President is fully committed to ensuring that the African Democratic ADC becomes a viable political platform.

Ibe further debunked the insinuation that Atiku supported the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a fall-back option. ?Atiku is a member of the ADC, why would he be needing ADA,? he quipped, adding that those fuelling the speculation merely wanted to ?pitch Atiku against ADC leaders.?

The oppositeion leader also dismissed that alleged talks with the PDP for a possible return. ?In as much as the nature of politics is dynamic, I cannot tell you that there is any discussion to that effect. All of his energy is focused towards ensuring that he works in tandem with other coalition leaders to ensure that ADC is strengthened and becomes a very viable platform that will offer alternative to Nigerians. There is no such talks of return to PDP,? clarified.

While responding to the question of why he had yet to fully register with the ADC in his ward as directed by the party?s leadership, he simply declared that ?the process is on-going.?

?I have said it multiple times that the process includes setting up structures. It is on-going and the last stage of it will be when he will collect his card and all of that. It is an on-going process. Let us allow the process.

?There is a plan in place. We want to do it, not just for the sake of doing it, so that it will be impactful and achieve the purpose,? Ibe added.

Obi?s tough choice

By supporting the ADC, Obi has found himself at a crossroads of power intrigues and subtle rivalry for the presidential ticket. In this scenario, he faces a tough choice. Therefore, despite his strong verbal commitment and support for the coalition and the new ADC leadership, he has not formally registered as a member of the party. He is widely reported to be a member of the Labour Party (LP) and a key figure in the ?Obidient Movement,? an independent political force. For the ADC to officially nominate Obi or use his political momentum for other positions in 2027, he must be a legitimate, card-carrying member of the party accord?ng to Nigerian electoral law and party constitution. At best, his current status is an association with a coalition rather than a full commitment to the party.

While the ADC has successfully attracted high-profile figures like Atiku and Obi into a coalition to challenge the ruling party, it is struggling to convert that political alignment into formalized party registration, which is necessary for the party to proceed with legal and structural planning for the 2027 elections.

The two of them are testing the waters with the ADC. Their hesitation to fully formalise their membership suggests a strategic pause to assess the party?s viability as a formidable platform for the 2027 general elections.

Obi still commands significant grassroots support of the Obidient Movement and remains a member of the Labour Party (LP). By endorsing the ADC coalition without formally joining, he maintains the political capital of his independent movement, waiting to see if the ADC can truly offer a unified, credible path that satisfies his support base.

He has also been the subject of rumours of potential talks with the PDP. His hesitation is a classic political strategy. While utilizing the ADC as a strong, immediate focal point for the opposition coalition, some ADC members alleged that he might be waiting for the party to prove its stability, unity, and capacity to serve as a national-level political vehicle before fully jumping ship from his previous structure (LP) which is also grappling with its internal crisis.

Given Atiku?s formidable influence in the coalition, Obi has a slim chance of clinching the presidential ticket of the ADC. This could be the reason he is keeping other options open, including a potential return to the PDP.

The internal Instability within the ADC also makes it a less-than-solid platform. If the ADC crisis deepens, Obi would be forced to seek an alternative, smaller, and less-encumbered party?like the AA?or reunite with the Labour Party.

LP?s leadership has reportedly issued an ultimatum to him, urging him to choose clearly between the LP and the ADC coalition. This pressure means he must find a guaranteed platform if the LP structure cannot be secured.

If the ADC alliance becomes bogged down by internal power struggles (especially with Atiku Abubakar and the northern bloc), a new, smaller party like the AA might be a cleaner exit route.

There are reports that Peter Obi is in talks with the People?s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 election, adding another major layer of complexity and speculation to his political manoeuvring.

The political environment is so fluid and uncertain that he is widely believed to be keeping his options open.

The National Coordinator of leadership of Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, speaking against the background of insinuations in the public space with Sunday Sun, reaffirmed Obi?s membership of the Labour Party. He, however, confirmed the possibility of exploring other options available, declaring that Obi would announce a new platform by the end of 2025.

In the meantime, he maintained that Obi and his followers remained a members of the Labour Party, contrary to speculations. He said: ?As far as I am concerned, I just left Mr Peter Obi this morning, and I want to let everyone know that it is not true that he has left the Labour Party. We are still members of the Labour Party as I speak to you, and his point is very clear, and we have consistently maintained it until he finished the election in Anambra State.

?At the end of the month or year, his political party or alignment will be fully informed. This is the basis of the agreement to be part of the coalition, which was also publicly announced and accepted by the ADC.

?There is no contradiction as regards where he is, or where he will be at the end of the year.

?He will formally inform everyone at the end of the year. People should be patient with us as he has been requested by so many parties to join other political platforms, and he would do due diligence as regards the formal platform he will run under. And we have time till the end of the year.

In politics, nothing is settled until it is settled. With the onset of another cycle of election, alignment and realignment of forces can spring surprises. Therefore, no discussion can be said to be foreclosed. (Sunday Sun)

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