Summary
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asserted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only political platform capable of rescuing Nigeria from its deepening economic and security challenges.
He made this declaration while unveiling the Taraba State office of the ADC in Jalingo, the state capital.
Atiku explained that after spending years in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties, he and many political leaders have concluded that those platforms lack the capacity to steer the country out of its current difficulties. His comments followed his official move to the ADC on Monday, taking place just 17 months before the 2027 general elections.
Before his defection, Atiku had been a major stakeholder in the PDP but announced his departure on July 16, citing unresolved internal disagreements.
He encouraged residents of Taraba to participate actively in the ongoing continuous voter registration, stressing the need for citizens to take ownership of their political future if they hope to escape the hardship facing the nation.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity.”
“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party, because we have tasted other political parties and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty, unemployment.”
“The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise.”
“ADC will win Taraba state, win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”
Oshiomhole Counters Atiku’s Claim
In response to Atiku’s announcement, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, argued that Atiku lacks the competence needed to reform Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former Edo State Governor insisted that Atiku’s inability to stabilise or reposition the PDP contradicts his claim of being able to transform the nation.
Oshiomhole questioned Atiku’s track record, noting that the former vice president failed to assert meaningful leadership within the PDP despite years of influence.
“If Atiku, as a former vice-president under PDP, could not fix PDP, he could not reconstruct it, and he could not provide leadership and use his influence, which he had built, how can you lay claim to fix Nigeria?” Oshiomhole queried.
He further referenced Atiku’s exit from the APC, stating that the former vice president abandoned the ruling party only after losing its presidential primary.
“He was once a member of the APC. He left because he lost the party’s presidential ticket,” he said.
“He went back to the PDP. He’s so much in love with the PDP, at least for the purpose of contesting election. He could not build PDP.
“So, if Atiku can’t build the PDP that made him vice-president, he can’t fix Nigeria.”
What you should know
Atiku Abubakar’s move to the ADC marks a major political shift ahead of the 2027 elections, with the former vice president positioning the party as a credible alternative to the APC and PDP.
His declaration was immediately met with resistance from Adams Oshiomhole, who questioned Atiku’s political track record and leadership capacity.
The clash highlights growing political tensions as Nigeria edges closer to another electoral cycle.
