Coalition or Takeover? Atiku’s Silent Moves Shake Up ADC, Obi Camp Reacts

As Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections, political drama is intensifying within the opposition’s coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). A behind-the-scenes battle for control is reportedly playing out between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, with insiders alleging that Atiku is quietly consolidating power in the ADC while Obi’s allies cry foul over exclusion.

Atiku’s Alleged Takeover

According to multiple sources within the party, Atiku is said to have heavily financed efforts to embed his loyalists across the ADC structure, including state chapters, zonal offices, and even the National Working Committee (NWC). A top insider claimed over 70% of ADC’s core organs are now aligned with Atiku’s camp.

“In some states where party chairmen refused to cooperate, we’re seeing active moves to replace them,” a source revealed, claiming that Atiku’s influence has essentially positioned him to dictate the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.

The source further alleged that Atiku’s financial backing played a major role in reshaping the party from the inside. “Huge sums were deployed to persuade key players. This isn’t charity — he’s clearly in it for himself.”

Obi Camp Cries Foul

Meanwhile, Obi’s supporters — particularly members of the Obidient Movement — have raised concerns about systematic exclusion from major decisions. In a leaked July 29 memo signed by National Coordinator Tanko Yunusa, the group accused the ADC leadership of marginalising Obi loyalists.

“Our people are being sidelined at all levels,” the memo read. “We are deliberately excluded from key meetings and decisions, creating an atmosphere of distrust.”

Yunusa, in a separate interview, downplayed talk of Obi “struggling for relevance” but admitted that internal inclusion was still “a work in progress.”

Obi has not officially declared any shift from the Labour Party, but has signaled interest in the coalition. Whether he will formally join the ADC remains undecided, with his team saying he’ll make that call “at the right time.”

Leadership Responds: “No One Owns the ADC”

In response to the allegations, Bolaji Abdullahi, interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, denied that Atiku had taken over. He insisted the party remained impartial and united, committed to giving all aspirants a level playing field.

“The party is not loyal to anyone. The structure belongs to no single individual,” Abdullahi told The PUNCH. “Obi even nominated the National Organising Secretary — arguably the most powerful position in the party. So, no one is being sidelined.”

Similarly, Ibrahim Mani, Chairman of ADC’s Board of Trustees, dismissed the rumours of internal division. He noted that while political ambitions were natural, the focus remained on building a strong opposition party, not on who gets the ticket.

“We are not at the stage of picking candidates. What matters now is building a platform that will truly challenge the APC’s governance,” he said.

APC Reacts: “Coalition Doomed to Fail”

Reacting to the tensions, Bala Ibrahim, Director of Publicity for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), mocked the ADC coalition as a fragile alliance of “strange bedfellows.”

“They have the right to contest. But can they unseat the APC? Absolutely not,” Ibrahim said. “This is a coalition of confusion — built on anger, not vision. It’s dead on arrival.”