Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday attended a closed-door meeting of African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition leaders in Abuja, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, held at an undisclosed venue in the Federal Capital Territory, was chaired by former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark. Also in attendance were former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai; former Minister of Digital Economy Isa Pantami; former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed; and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

Atiku confirmed his presence in a post on X, describing the gathering as part of a broader resistance movement.
“I am currently at the stakeholders’ meeting of the Coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja,” he wrote. “It is a meeting of the Nigerian people against the oligarchs who promote poverty and insecurity in the land.”

He stressed that the opposition bloc was determined to present a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Discussions centred on strengthening unity within the opposition and harmonising strategies for 2027.

A key resolution was the suspension of efforts to register the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which the coalition had earlier sought recognition for from the electoral commission.

According to ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, three major decisions were reached:

1. All presidential aspirants agreed to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primaries.
2. Members were directed to resign from other political parties and fully commit to the ADC.
3. The National Working Committee will announce dates for primaries in Osun and Ekiti, ahead of off-cycle governorship elections.

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi sent apologies but pledged loyalty to the coalition.

The ADC, originally founded in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change and later registered by INEC in 2011, has become a rallying point for opposition figures seeking to challenge APC dominance in 2027. The coalition was formally adopted in July after months of consultations among politicians dissatisfied with governance under the current administration.

Prominent members include Uche Secondus, Rauf Aregbesola, Emeka Ihedioha, Dino Melaye, and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.

While Thursday’s meeting reaffirmed unity within the coalition, Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi are among those expected to contest the presidential ticket. Party leaders insist the movement is not merely a merger of political interests but a “rescue mission” to tackle insecurity, economic hardship, and corruption.