FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar held a high-level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) at his Abuja residence at the weekend.

The meeting was confirmed yesterday by ADP National Chairman Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who described it as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with key democratic stakeholders.

“The national leadership of the ADP, led by the National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders,” Sani said in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to the ADP chairman, discussions focused on protecting democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability, and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 elections. He emphasised the importance of preserving democratic competition, ensuring stable and constitutionally compliant political platforms, and promoting responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

Sani also dismissed speculation that the meeting was aimed at merging parties or recruiting individuals into ADP, stressing that the engagement was part of broader consultations with senior democratic stakeholders.

“ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally,” he said.

Despite the denials, political analysts note that the meeting comes amid rumours of a potential Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance to contest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket against Atiku, fuelling speculation that the discussions could be part of strategic pre-election manoeuvring.

Yabagi again dismissed any likely speculation about the motive of the meeting, saying the “engagement was not about a merger with any party, nor was it about recruiting any individual into ADP.

“The meeting formed part of ADP’s ongoing consultations with senior democratic stakeholders on protecting democratic pluralism, opposition stability, and responsible preparedness ahead of 2027. We believe such conversations are healthy and necessary in the current political environment.

“There is no hidden agenda or transactional ‘catch.’ ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally.”

There is, however, speculation that the meeting was part of moves to form an alliance ahead of the elections.

ADC accuses APC of forcing civil servants into e-registration

Meanwhile, in a related political development, the African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of coercing civil servants and government workers across several states to join its ongoing e-registration exercise.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the alleged practice as economic coercion and forced membership, warning that compelling public servants to join a political party violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and threatens the neutrality of the civil service.

The ADC said it had received widespread and consistent reports suggesting that workers were being pressured to register with the APC as a condition for job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood, a situation it said was unacceptable in a democratic society.

The party argued that freedom of thought and association are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and cannot be abridged by any government. It added that what the APC calls e-registration increasingly resembles forced enrolment, noting that genuine political support cannot be built through fear, intimidation or the use of payroll systems.

According to the ADC, the development poses a serious threat to the professionalism of the federal and state civil services, which it said should remain neutral, merit-based and loyal to the country rather than any political party.

It also warned that databases built through coercion do not amount to real political backing, stressing that inflated figures achieved through intimidation may serve propaganda purposes but cannot replace genuine voter support.

The party called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), civil society groups, labour unions and the international community to intervene, describing the situation as a potential abuse of power and a violation of data privacy and human rights.

Otti says Labour Party remains strong despite Obi’s exit

This came as Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party (LP) remains a formidable force despite the exit of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Otti spoke on Saturday night at the party’s national working committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

obi officially joined the African Democratic Congress on December 31. The governor acknowledged that the LP has lost some members, including lawmakers and interim national committee members, through defections, but insisted the party remains strong.

“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” he said.

“In my opinion, the party should come together and become a stronger force. We have also lost a few members to defection, especially some National Assembly members, interim national committee members, but despite that, we are still a very strong force.”

To address internal disputes, Otti said the NWC has resolved to establish a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved members and encourage their return.

“The idea is to reconcile everyone who is willing and desires to come back to the party.”

He appealed to the faction led by Julius Abure to “sheathe their swords and come back to the party. Once they are willing to abide by the rules, we will be happy to receive them”.

The governor also announced plans to organise congresses from the ward level to the national level, beginning in March, ahead of the party’s national convention.

According to him, the party has also set up a committee to validate its membership register and oversee the registration of new members.

Otti said the LP has no plans to join any political coalition, describing the party as “a coalition itself”.

“Peter Obi has made a decision to leave the Labour Party to join ADC, and we wish him well,” he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for updating its website to reflect the Nenadi Usman-led NWC, describing the move as a major step towards stabilising the party.

Last month, a federal high court in Abuja ruled that the Usman-led national caretaker committee of the LP is the party’s authentic leadership.

PDP steps up unity drive, alliance talks ahead of 2027 polls

Also, the Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Ogidi, has said the party is intensifying efforts to restore internal cohesion and build broad political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview with reporters, Ogidi said the PDP remained committed to defending Nigeria’s democracy and repositioning itself as a formidable opposition party despite internal challenges.

He acknowledged that the party was grappling with disagreements but insisted these would not derail its wider mission of safeguarding democratic governance and restoring public confidence.

According to him, the PDP is fully aware of the gravity of the current political climate and is determined to meet the expectations of Nigerians who view the party as a stabilising force in the democratic process.

“Yes, today we have some pockets of trouble in the PDP, but we are resolute and we believe in God because we know that we are the only viable opposition.

“We are going to fight for that cause; we will do whatever it takes to ensure that we have democracy; if we do not have democracy, then we will have a banana republic.

“We understand this part, and because of that, we will not disappoint the people; we want to do whatever it takes and we are determined.

“We are going to reach out to anybody reachable in the other political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We want to see what we can take away from these parties; else, this country will face more serious challenges,” he said.

Ogidi said the PDP’s central focus ahead of 2027 would be the protection of democracy, promotion of national unity and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the ruling party.

He accused the APC of placing electoral victories above effective governance, questioning why the party, less than two years into office, appeared more concerned with political campaigns than addressing governance challenges.

The PDP chieftain also warned that continued erosion of democratic institutions could plunge the country into instability, assuring that the party would do everything within its capacity to prevent such an outcome. (The Guardian)