- Sani explained that the dialogue was not about immediate political alignment but about reinforcing Nigeria’s multi-party system
- He said the talks centred on safeguarding democratic pluralism and creating a stable environment
- According to him, the core of the discussions remains centred on strengthening democracy, promoting national development
Leaders of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) have clarified that their recent engagement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was focused on identifying areas of cooperation aimed at deepening democratic practice in Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, alongside another senior party official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the closed-door meeting held in Abuja on February 1 was part of broader consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The discussion has since sparked speculation that Atiku could be considering the ADP as a possible political vehicle should he fail to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing the development, Sani explained that the dialogue was not about immediate political alignment but about reinforcing Nigeria’s multi-party system and ensuring the opposition remains viable.
He said the talks centred on safeguarding democratic pluralism and creating a stable environment in which opposition parties can operate effectively, particularly amid concerns that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to weaken rival parties.
According to him, the engagement with Atiku forms part of a wider strategy involving consultations with various opposition figures, political stakeholders, youth groups and civic organisations to build resilience within the opposition space.
Sani noted that discussions also touched on the need for contingency planning, stressing the importance of having alternative political platforms available in case legal disputes, disqualifications, or technical issues undermine any single party.
He explained that such a “Plan B” approach is intended to prevent scenarios where opposition efforts are stalled by court battles or last-minute complications that could damage electoral prospects.
Another ADP leader who participated in the meeting said the conversation focused on how opposition actors with shared values could cooperate to present a credible alternative to the APC in 2027.
He added that while the ADP is not committing to any formal coalition at this stage, it is engaging with a wide range of political leaders beyond Atiku to expand options for opposition collaboration.
According to him, the core of the discussions remains centred on strengthening democracy, promoting national development and addressing key challenges facing the country, rather than on individual ambitions or party dominance.
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