The reason why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not yet joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), despite resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a week ago, has been revealed.
Sources close to the former presidential candidate say the delay is deliberate, as Atiku wants to carry out the registration in person to give it the symbolic weight it deserves.
His recent travels have, however, held up the process.
“He returned to Nigeria for the burial of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, coming straight from a business trip abroad,” a source familiar with the development revealed. “From Daura, he left again for a scheduled two-week break overseas.”
According to the source, Atiku intends to make a public and physical appearance when joining the ADC, to send a clear message to supporters and opponents ahead of the 2027 elections.
“For someone as high-profile as His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, people need to see him pick up his membership card and formally register. It’s not something he wants done by proxy,” the source explained.
Atiku, who is expected to seek the ADC’s presidential ticket for 2027, is reportedly working behind the scenes with party leaders to organise a high-profile registration event once he returns to the country.
Although no official date has been set, insiders suggest the registration will be timed for maximum media attention and political impact.