By Patrick Wemambu
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has indicated that contrary to media reports he is yet to adopt the newly floated political outfit known as All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The disclaimer was contained in a statement by Demola Olarenwaju, the Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy to the former Vice President, which was made available Nigerian Pilot on Sunday.
He warned that there were still issues to sort out with the coalition.
The group, Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG), had on Friday applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration of ADA as a party ahead of the 2027 election.
State governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some other stakeholders of the party have expressed opposition to Atiku’s move to involve the party in any coalition.
It was the party that sponsored Atiku to become vice president in 1999 through 2003 and as its presidential flag bearer in 2023.
Sources in the PDP said yesterday that it was only a matter of time before Atiku and his supporters formally dump the party.
Atiku’s imminent exit and that of former Senate President David Mark seems to have added to the woes of the former ruling party, it was gathered yesterday.
Olanrewaju, in a tweet on his X handle, accused Nigerian newspapers of often contributing to “our challenges.”
“A group is in the process of pursuing party registration, just like any other Nigerian, but they need to coordinate this with the coalition,” he said.
He added: “ADA has not been adopted by the coalition, and when the time is right, the public will be informed about the appropriate choices and decisions. Just be patient with that.”
Sources in the PDP yesterday expressed concerns about the odds that keep stacking up against the party, the latest being the looming exit of Atiku, former Senate President David Mark and former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Mark is said to have presided at the meeting of the NNCG where the decision to seek registration for ADA as a party was reached.
There are fears that many supporters of the three politicians will be leaving the PDP for the new party once it gets registered.
Atiku, who had sought to be president in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, is actively preparing for another shot in 2027.
The Nigerian Pilot reports that the PDP has lost two of its governors to the APC in the last one month. The party is now searching for a response to the planned exit of Atiku and other chieftains.
However, it was gathered that governors and other PDP stakeholders who have been at loggerheads with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his political associate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu who is the PDP National Secretary, may now be inclined to reach a compromise by allowing the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee to broker peace.
“Before the ADA issue that just came up, the frictions tied to some stakeholders’ refusal to recognise Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary had seriously endangered the plan for the June 30 National Executive Committee meeting, preparations for a national convention in August and even, steps towards the 2027 general elections,” a party source said.
“FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, knows that he holds the ace with the Supreme Court judgment that backs Anyanwu’s authority and the National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade has completely removed himself from the picture of those challenging Wike and Anyanwu.
“The most logical step now is for the two major contending sides to allow the Saraki Committee broker peace,” the source added.
