2027: ADP reveals details of meeting with Atiku

By Goli Innocent

Leaders of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) have disclosed that their recent meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was centred on consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections and efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic space.

The ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, confirmed the meeting, which was held privately in Abuja on February 1, amid growing political realignments within the opposition.

Another senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, also corroborated the discussions.

The meeting has fuelled speculation in political circles that Atiku may be exploring alternative platforms as part of his 2027 strategy, particularly amid uncertainty over securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing the speculation, Sani said the engagement with Atiku was primarily focused on preserving Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and ensuring that opposition parties remain viable and competitive.

“The meeting was largely about strengthening democracy and protecting democratic pluralism,” he said.

“Our concern is to ensure that Nigeria’s multi-party system is sustained and that opposition parties have the stability and encouragement needed to function effectively.”

He added that opposition parties were increasingly worried about what he described as attempts by the ruling APC to weaken dissenting voices.

“The focus is on creating an environment where opposition groups feel reinforced, especially against the backdrop of concerns that the APC is trying to discourage or weaken opposition participation,” Sani said.

According to him, the talks with Atiku form part of broader consultations with political stakeholders aimed at ensuring that opposition leaders have viable options ahead of the next election cycle.

“These engagements are not limited to one individual or party,” he explained.

“They involve a wide range of opposition groups, political stakeholders and youth organisations, including civic platforms like the National Youth Alliance. Discussions are ongoing to explore collaboration and build a united front that can strengthen democratic competition.”

Sani also revealed that part of the strategy being discussed involves creating alternatives to guard against unexpected setbacks.

“There is a need for a ‘Plan B’,” he said. “If one platform runs into disqualification, litigation or technical issues, other platforms must remain viable so the opposition is not derailed or forced into prolonged court battles that weaken its electoral chances.”

The unnamed ADP official said the meeting was essentially exploratory, focused on how like-minded opposition figures could work together to provide Nigerians with credible alternatives.

“We met to discuss areas of collaboration ahead of 2027,” he said. “Opposition parties are talking among themselves. While we are not entering any coalition for now, we are engaging leaders beyond Atiku and speaking with others who share similar concerns about the direction of the country.”

He stressed that the discussions were driven by national interest rather than personal ambition.

“The conversation is about democracy, how to sustain it, how to develop the country and how to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria. That is the essence of the engagement,” the party official added.