‘We are talking to him (Jonathan), and we are getting a positive response from him so far.’
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has delayed plans to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid growing speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s banner.
Atiku, who recently quit the Peoples Democratic Party after prolonged disputes, was scheduled to collect his ADC membership card on August 6 in Jada, Adamawa State. The event has now been postponed indefinitely, with no official explanation.
ADC Adamawa chairman, Shehu Yohana, told Sunday PUNCH: “I spoke with the former vice president on the phone Friday morning, and he told me he has shifted the event to mid-August, but no specific date was mentioned. From the way things are going, due to one issue or the other, the event may get to September.” He said Atiku wanted to wait for some APC governors planning to join ADC before proceeding.
A senior ADC figure alleged the delay could be linked to tensions between Atiku and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, as well as rumours of Jonathan’s possible return. “We are talking to him (Jonathan), and we are getting a positive response from him so far,” the chieftain said, noting the ex-president would not run under PDP.
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, denied the postponement was linked to Jonathan, insisting the registration process was ongoing. “Atiku is a democrat, and he cannot be threatened by anyone’s ambition,” Ibe said, adding the former VP was focused on building a credible alternative to the APC.
The postponement also follows internal ADC conflicts over Peter Obi’s growing sway in the party’s southern chapters. An anonymous ADC chieftain warned that Obi-aligned groups have “taken over” key structures, potentially boxing out Atiku. “If this continues, he may defect to SDP,” the source added, referencing the Social Democratic Party where ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai was recently suspended over alleged “anti-Atiku maneuvers.”
Jonathan’s camp has not confirmed the reports, though campaign posters pairing him with other political figures have surfaced online. His wife, Patience Jonathan, has publicly ruled out his return, pledging support for First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in 2027, saying, “We believe in turn-by-turn leadership.”