A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by Nafiu Bala Gombe has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent meeting with purported stakeholders of the party in Adamawa State.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher Okechukwu, the ADC faction described the gathering as illegitimate and politically motivated.
The party asserted that the meeting does not represent the genuine interests of the ADC, characterizing it as a sham designed to create a false impression of legitimacy and support.
The faction urged the public and political observers to carefully scrutinize such developments and insist on transparency and due process in all political collaborations and coalitions going forward.
“The National Leadership of the ADC brings to the fore a pressing concern that warrants scrutiny. The recent meeting between Atiku and the purported Adamawa ADC stakeholders reeks of illegitimacy and raises several questions,” the statement read.
The group claimed that many attendees were former members of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party who abandoned their parties due to perceived irrelevance.
“A closer examination of the attendees reveals a troubling trend: many are former members of the APC and PDP who abandoned their parties due to perceived irrelevance. This development begs the question: what prompted these individuals to suddenly become relevant in a new political setting? Their presence at the meeting appears to be a calculated publicity stunt rather than a genuine attempt to contribute to the progress of the ADC,” the statement continued.
The faction argued that the meeting was a desperate attempt to create an illusion of support and legitimacy, questioning both the purpose and potential outcomes of the gathering.
“We strongly argue that this meeting was a sham, a desperate attempt to create the illusion of support and legitimacy. The purpose and outcomes of the meeting have been called into question, and it remains unclear what tangible benefits will arise from this gathering,” the ADC faction stated.
The group concluded by challenging the authenticity of the meeting and the credentials of those in attendance.
“The meeting between Atiku and the so-called Adamawa ADC stakeholders lacks authenticity and legitimacy. The questionable credentials of the attendees and the dubious purpose of the meeting raise serious concerns about the true intentions of the convener. We call on the public to scrutinise this development and insist on transparency and accountability from the coalition leaders seeking to join the ADC,” the statement added.
The criticism comes amid speculation about Atiku’s political future and his potential alignment with opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times on the PDP platform, recently confirmed his membership of the ADC, sparking internal tensions within the party.
The ADC has been experiencing factional divisions, with different groups claiming legitimate leadership of the party. The latest controversy over Atiku’s engagement with Adamawa stakeholders appears set to deepen these divisions.
