President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, alleging that he is attempting to take control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as internal divisions continue to rock the opposition party.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House in Abuja, the president linked the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC to what he described as Atiku’s longstanding political style.
Tinubu referenced Atiku’s role as former chairman of Nigeria’s privatisation council, questioning the outcomes of key reforms carried out during that period.
“The head was chairman of the privatisation council. He privatised the steel industry in Delta; is it working today? No. He privatised Ajaokuta. Is it working today? No, and I can go on,” the president said.
“They want to privatise a political party that does not belong to them, but the original owner has resisted,” he added.
The remarks come as the ADC grapples with a prolonged leadership crisis that escalated following the takeover of its structure by an opposition coalition in July 2025.
The party is now split into several factions, including groups aligned with former Senate President David Mark, former deputy national chairman Nafiu Bala, and another led by Ogga Kingsley.
Bala has challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, insisting it was improperly constituted, a development that has further intensified the dispute.
On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of both the Mark and Bala factions after an interim ruling by the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear an appeal filed by Mark on April 22 as the legal battle over the party’s leadership continues.
Meanwhile, a faction of the ADC in Adamawa State recently announced the suspension of Atiku, accusing him of fuelling divisions within the party.
The deepening crisis within the ADC has heightened concerns over the unity and readiness of opposition groups as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
