Leaders of the Action Democratic Party have said their meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration to strengthen democracy.
The ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, along with another party leader who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the issue, disclosed that the meeting could be linked to preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku held a private meeting with the ADP leaders in Abuja on February 1.
Following the meeting, there has been growing speculation that Atiku may be positioning the ADP as an alternative platform in case he does not secure the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Sani said the engagement with Atiku was aimed at strengthening and sustaining the country’s multi-party system in order to provide a credible challenge to the APC-led government of President Tinubu.
Yabagi said, “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.
“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 disclosed that the meeting with Atiku, alongside planned engagements with other stakeholders, was aimed at ensuring that opposition leaders had viable alternatives in their efforts to challenge the APC.
He continued, “The ongoing consultations are not limited to one individual or party but involve a broad range of opposition groups, political stakeholders and youth organisations, including dynamic civic platforms such as the National Youth Alliance. Engagements are continuing with various opposition parties to explore collaboration and build a united front that can strengthen democratic competition.
“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. The intention is to avoid last-minute surprises or situations where parties are left with no option but prolonged court battles that weaken their electoral prospects.”
The other ADP official noted that the meeting was held to explore how like-minded opposition leaders could work together to challenge and provide an alternative to the APC.
He said, “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.
“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.”
