The African Democratic Congress(ADC) in Yobe State has rejected reports that its structure and loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.
The party’s response followed remarks credited to Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim Jawa during a stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu last weekend, where he reportedly announced that ADC members across Yobe’s 17 local government areas had resolved to work with the APC in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mai Mala Buni ahead of the next election cycle.
But in a statement issued Tuesday, Yobe ADC chairman Umar Alhaji distanced the party from the declaration, insisting that neither the state leadership nor the wider party structure had approved any alliance or merger with the APC.
According to the statement, the publication linked to Jawa did not represent the official position of the party and was designed to create confusion within opposition ranks in the state.
“The ADC in Yobe remains united and committed to offering credible democratic leadership to the people. At no time has the leadership aligned with the APC as falsely alleged,” the statement said.
The party also questioned Jawa’s political loyalty and standing within the organisation, alleging that his appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Buni while maintaining ties with the ADC had long raised concerns among stakeholders over what it described as divided loyalty.
ADC leaders further accused Jawa of failing to strengthen the party during his tenure as chairman of the MMRR Committee, claiming that membership mobilisation efforts under him yielded poor results across the state.
The statement also alleged that Jawa maintained close political links with the “Obedient Movement,” a development party officials claimed contributed to his defeat during the ADC state congress where he contested unsuccessfully for the chairmanship position.
“The outcome of that congress reflected the collective will of members who had lost confidence in his leadership ambitions,” the statement added.
Jawa, who is also founder and national coordinator of the Arewa Strategic Implementation Group for Atiku, had earlier defended the proposed political realignment, saying it was necessary for stability and national unity. He said consultations across the state informed the decision to support the APC-led administration.
Reports from several northern-based media platforms had suggested that ADC stakeholders and pro-Atiku groups in Yobe were considering a mass movement into the APC amid ongoing internal tensions within the opposition party.
The development comes at a politically sensitive period as early alignments and coalition talks intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
In recent months, opposition parties have repeatedly battled rumours of mergers, defections and strategic alliances involving Atiku, Peter Obi and other opposition leaders. Several parties, including factions within the ADC itself, have publicly denied reports of formal coalitions or adoption deals ahead of the next presidential contest.
The latest disagreement in Yobe also reflects the growing pressure on smaller opposition parties as the APC seeks to consolidate support across northern states before the next election cycle.
Political observers say the public disagreement between ADC leaders in Yobe and pro-Atiku figures could further deepen internal divisions within the opposition camp in the state if not quickly resolved.
The APC has yet to officially respond to the ADC’s latest statement, although Governor Buni’s administration has continued to position itself as one of the ruling party’s strongest northern structures ahead of 2027.
