Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is now Nigeria’s strongest opposition party and is ready to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
Atiku made this known in a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday. In the message, he described the ADC as a party built on strong ideals and structure, with the capacity to challenge what he called the “failing” APC government.
“I remain convinced that the ADC has risen as Nigeria’s true opposition force — one that is strong in ideals, structure, and resolve, and ready to challenge and defeat the failing APC in the elections ahead,” he wrote.
His statement comes at a time when political activities are gradually building up ahead of the 2027 general elections, even though the polls are still some time away. Political parties are already working to strengthen their structures, attract new members, and position themselves for the contest.
Atiku, who has been a key figure in Nigerian politics for decades, recently increased his engagement with the ADC, raising speculations about his future political plans and possible alliances.
As part of these moves, the former vice-president revealed that he hosted members and stakeholders of the ADC from Adamawa State at his residence in Abuja on Friday. He described the visit as emotional and encouraging.
“I thanked them for the gesture and reminded the new state leadership that unity is now their sacred duty: to heal divisions, carry everyone along, and lead with fairness,” he said.
According to him, unity within the party is very important if it hopes to succeed in future elections. He urged leaders to avoid internal conflicts and focus on building a strong and united front.
The African Democratic Congress, though not one of Nigeria’s dominant parties in previous elections, has in recent times gained attention as some politicians look for alternatives to the two major parties — the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress has continued to defend its record, with President Bola Tinubu expressing confidence that his administration will retain public support.
However, the ADC has strongly disagreed with the president’s position. On Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said many Nigerians are already unhappy with the current administration and are determined to vote it out in 2027.
Abdullahi accused the government of implementing policies that have negatively affected the lives of ordinary citizens.
He said, “Nigerians are determined to vote President Tinubu out of office in 2027 because his policies have ruined lives and destroyed livelihoods.”
He also criticised the president’s comments, saying they showed a lack of understanding of the hardship faced by many Nigerians.
According to him, rising costs of living, unemployment, and insecurity have left many citizens frustrated, and the government must take responsibility for these challenges.
The exchange of words between the ruling party and the opposition reflects the early stages of political competition ahead of the next election cycle.
Nigeria operates a multi-party system, but since 2015, power has largely been contested between the APC and the PDP. However, recent political developments suggest that other parties may play more active roles in future elections.
They also note that political alliances and defections could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the 2027 elections.
For Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times, his latest statement signals a renewed effort to remain relevant in Nigeria’s political space and possibly lead another challenge for power.
While it is still unclear what form this challenge will take, his endorsement of the ADC as a strong opposition platform is likely to attract attention from both supporters and critics.
As the political atmosphere gradually heats up, Nigerians are expected to watch closely as parties and leaders outline their plans for the future.
For now, the debate continues, with the opposition insisting that change is needed, while the ruling party maintains that it is on the right track.
With more than a year to the next general election cycle, the battle for Nigeria’s political future is already taking shape.