Leaders of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) have clarified the purpose of their recent private meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying the discussions centred on democratic collaboration and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The engagement, held in Abuja on February 1, has triggered widespread speculation that Atiku may be exploring alternative political platforms, particularly the ADP, if he fails to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
ADP’s national chairman, Yabagi Sani, confirmed that the meeting was intended to “explore areas of collaboration to strengthen democracy” and support a sustainable multi-party system in Nigeria. According to him, the party’s position is rooted in the belief that a vibrant opposition is necessary to hold the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government accountable.
“The meeting was largely about strengthening democracy and protecting democratic pluralism, ensuring that Nigeria’s multi-party system is sustained and that opposition parties have the stability needed to function effectively,” Sani said.
“The focus is on creating an environment where opposition groups feel reinforced and encouraged, especially amid concerns that the ruling APC is attempting to weaken and discourage opposition participation.”
The ADP chairman underscored that the talks with Atiku were part of wider consultations with a range of political stakeholders, including youth groups such as the National Youth Alliance, aimed at building a more effective opposition front.
Sani further revealed that a key element of the discussions involved creating contingency options, a “Plan B”, for opposition actors.
“Part of the strategy under discussion includes developing a ‘Plan B’, ensuring that if one platform faces disqualification, litigation or technical challenges, alternative platforms remain viable so the broader opposition movement is not derailed,” he said, adding that the intention was to “avoid last-minute surprises” that could weaken electoral prospects.
Another senior ADP official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to publicly comment, echoed Sani’s remarks, stressing that the meeting was about building cooperation and “more options for opposition leaders” rather than forming a formal coalition.
“We met largely to discuss areas of collaboration and how we can work together ahead of the 2027 election. Opposition parties are trying to work together. In our case, we are not going to be part of any coalition, but we are engaging with leaders beyond Atiku,” the official said.
“We are also speaking with others to see how we can create more options for opposition leaders and like-minded individuals who are willing to come together to rescue the country from the All Progressives Congress. The conversation is centred on democracy, how to sustain it, how to develop the country, and how to address the issues affecting our nation. That is simply the essence of it.”
