Leaders of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) have clarified that their recent meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was centred on exploring areas of collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, disclosed this while addressing growing speculation surrounding the meeting, which held privately in Abuja on February 1. Another senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation, confirmed that the engagement was part of wider consultations among opposition stakeholders.
In recent days, political observers have speculated that Atiku may be positioning the ADP as a possible alternative platform should he fail to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
However, Sani dismissed suggestions of any immediate political realignment, explaining that the engagement was driven by a broader objective of sustaining Nigeria’s multi-party system and reinforcing opposition politics.
“The meeting was largely about strengthening democracy and protecting democratic pluralism,” Sani said. “Our focus is on ensuring that Nigeria’s multi-party system is sustained and that opposition parties have the stability needed to function effectively.”
He added that the discussions were held against concerns that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be working to weaken opposition participation.
“The aim is to create an environment where opposition groups feel reinforced and encouraged, especially at a time when there are fears that the ruling party is discouraging viable opposition,” he noted.
According to the ADP chairman, the meeting with Atiku forms part of a series of ongoing consultations with opposition parties, political stakeholders, and youth organisations, including civic platforms such as the National Youth Alliance.
“These engagements are not limited to one individual or party,” Sani said. “They are about exploring collaboration and building a united front capable of strengthening democratic competition.”
He also revealed that part of the discussions involved developing contingency strategies to avoid disruptions to opposition plans.
“There is a ‘Plan B’ conversation—ensuring that if one platform faces disqualification, litigation, or technical challenges, other platforms remain viable so the broader opposition movement is not derailed,” he explained.
Speaking separately, the second ADP official said the meeting was aimed at identifying ways like-minded opposition leaders could work together to present a credible alternative to the APC-led government.
“We discussed areas of collaboration and how to work together ahead of the 2027 election,” the official said. “While we are not committing to any coalition, we are engaging widely with opposition leaders beyond Atiku.”
He added that the discussions were fundamentally about governance and national development.
“The conversation is about democracy—how to sustain it, how to develop the country, and how to address the challenges facing Nigerians. That is the essence of the engagement.”
2027: ADP Explains Atiku Meeting, Says Talks Focused on Democratic Collaboration
