The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has disowned the recent registration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Jada 1 Ward of Jada Local Government Area, Adamawa State, declaring the exercise invalid and inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ADC said the registration was carried out by individuals who are not recognised by the party’s national headquarters and therefore have no authority to enlist new members.
“We have taken note of the former Vice President’s purported registration in Jada 1 Ward,” said Dr. Christopher O. Okechukwu, Director of Media and Public Affairs for the ADC. “However, this registration was conducted through persons who are not recognised by the national leadership of our party and who lack the mandate to register new members.”
According to Okechukwu, the ADC has repeatedly advised Atiku to formalise his membership only through the duly constituted party executives in his locality — a step he said the former Vice President “has yet to take.”
“This action is inconsistent with the ADC constitution and established procedures,” he added. “We are concerned that it may be part of a broader strategy to leverage the ADC while awaiting reconciliation with the PDP, a pattern we have observed in the past.”
The party said it would welcome Atiku once he completes his registration through authorised channels.
“We once again call on Mr. Abubakar to regularise his membership by engaging with the officially recognised party leadership in his local government,” Okechukwu stated. “Upon doing so, he will enjoy all rights and privileges provided in the ADC constitution.”
The ADC also acknowledged the ongoing leadership dispute within the party, noting that a case is currently before the Federal High Court over the legitimacy of David Mark’s leadership. Okechukwu said this legal context forms part of the considerations surrounding coalition negotiations and Atiku’s potential membership.
“In this delicate moment, we urge the former Vice President and his coalition partners to approach the situation with understanding,” he said. “The ADC is not merely a platform for individual ambition; it is a movement for democratic renewal.”
Reaffirming its commitment to due process and internal order, the party said it remains focused on strengthening unity and stability across its structures.
“The ADC stands firmly for transparency, democratic principles, respect for existing leadership structures, and the rules guiding the operation of our party,” Okechukwu said. “We look forward to collaborative engagement that will reinforce unity within the ADC.”
