In a strongly worded statement issued yesterday by the party’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher O. Okechukwu, the ADC said the registration conducted at Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State was carried out by individuals not recognised by the national headquarters.

“This registration was conducted through individuals who are not recognised by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lack the authority to register new members,” Okechukwu stated.

He revealed that Atiku had been repeatedly advised to register through the duly constituted and authentic ward executives in his locality, a step the former Vice President has so far failed to take.

The party described the development as part of what appears to be “a broader strategy to leverage the ADC while awaiting reconciliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a pattern we have observed in the past.”

While urging Atiku and his associates to regularise the process, the ADC stressed that it is “not a vehicle for personal ambition” but a movement committed to democratic renewal and national salvation.

The leadership also reminded stakeholders that the party is currently in a legal dispute over its authentic national executive, with a case pending at the Federal High Court concerning the legitimacy of the David Mark-led faction.

Atiku’s full rights and privileges as a member, the party said, would only be activated once he completes registration with the officially recognised structures.

Atiku Goes Ahead with Defection Ceremony

Despite the rejection from the national leadership, Atiku Abubakar on Monday formally received an ADC membership card and a customised “Waziri 01” jersey during a ceremony in Yola, Adamawa State.

The event, which attracted a large crowd of supporters and political associates, was publicised by the former Vice President on his X handle with the simple caption: “It’s official. -AA”.

The defection ends months of speculation following Atiku’s resignation from the PDP two months ago, triggered by a prolonged conflict with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the G-5 governors.

Atiku contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections on the PDP platform but lost both times to candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , first to the late Muhammadu Buhari and then to the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

ADC Positions Itself as Third Force

Meanwhile, the National Vice Chairman of the ADC, Senator Suleiman Nazif Gamawa, declared on Monday that the party is the only viable platform to rescue Nigerians from economic hardship and poor governance.

Speaking to journalists in Bauchi, Gamawa boasted that the ADC would defeat both the APC and PDP in 2027 “with or without sitting governors,” citing the example of Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 victory without widespread gubernatorial support.

He dismissed reports of internal crisis, insisted that nomination forms would remain affordable, and urged disenchanted politicians to join the party.

“The people have already believed that a new political movement is the option, so ADC is the saviour. We are giving them one blow,” Gamawa said.

The party last week inaugurated its new national headquarters and announced that nationwide membership registration begins this week, to be followed by ward congresses in February 2026 ahead of a non-elective national convention.

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the ADC is positioning itself as the emerging third force in Nigeria’s increasingly fractured political landscape, even as its leadership battle and the controversy over Atiku’s membership threaten to dominate headlines.