Claim
Multiple claims on X suggests that Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is set to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday.
Verdict
False.
Full Text
Multiple claims on X suggests that Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is set to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday.
The claims follow the departure of Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The ADC has been entangled in legal battles and leadership disputes, leaving the party, once seen as a strong opposition platform, in a state of uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In contrast, the NDC is attracting prominent opposition figures, positioning itself as a viable alternative.
The same claim can be found here, here, here and here.
Verification
To verify the claim, FactCheckAfrica reviewed available reports. One report stated that Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to join the party, warning that he could be held responsible if opposition forces fail to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Galadima said major opposition figures were already rallying under the NDC to build a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The truth of the matter is that Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso migrated into the ADC; they brought unity of opposition to unseat Tinubu. Unfortunately, there are insinuations that the APC and the government used the courts to unseat the opposition.
“This is why I’m making this call on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to follow us as we followed him into the ADC, such that there will be unity of opposition to unseat this government, and if he refuses, Atiku will be held responsible,” he said.
However, further checks showed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and allies of Atiku Abubakar have denied any defection talks with the NDC, despite claims of ongoing contacts and a possible announcement.
Responding to the reports, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, told Vanguard, “If that is the case, I will be the first to know. I don’t think that there’s anything like that.”
Within the party, officials also rejected the claims, stating that there were no discussions linking key figures to the NDC and that the reports did not reflect the situation. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed the reports, saying, “100% rubbish.”
Conclusion
Findings show that while there are calls from within the NDC urging opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar to join its ranks, there is no credible evidence to support claims of ongoing defection talks or an imminent move. Statements from Atiku’s camp and officials of the ADC directly contradict these reports.
Therefore, the claim that Atiku Abubakar is set to join or is in active talks with the NDC is not substantiated.
