Fatima Atiku Abubakar, the first daughter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a new phase in her political journey and adding momentum to the growing opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fatima, a medical doctor and former Commissioner for Health in Adamawa State, was formally received into the party on Monday in Abuja. She completed her registration and collected her membership card at her ward in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The registration event was witnessed by key party leaders and stakeholders, including the FCT Chairman of the ADC, Chief Clement Oba Ehigiator, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairman of the party, as well as other senior members and supporters.
Her defection to the ADC comes amid heightened political realignments, as opposition figures across the country intensify consultations and coalition-building to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the event, Fatima expressed excitement about her decision to join the ADC, describing the party as a credible platform that aligns with her values and political beliefs. She noted that the ADC’s growing role as a rallying point for opposition leaders seeking political change influenced her move.
Observers say her entry into the ADC is significant, given her political pedigree and administrative experience. As the daughter of Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and multiple-time presidential candidate, Fatima’s decision is being viewed as both symbolic and strategic within the evolving opposition landscape.
Fatima previously served as Commissioner for Health in Adamawa State, where she led health sector reforms and public health initiatives. Her background as a medical professional has often shaped her views on governance, social welfare and human development.
Party leaders present at the registration welcomed her into the ADC, describing her as a valuable addition whose experience and profile would strengthen the party’s structure in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond. They also expressed confidence that her membership would inspire more professionals, women and young people to participate actively in the party’s activities.
In recent months, the ADC has gained attention as a political platform that accommodates a coalition of opposition leaders dissatisfied with both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has positioned itself as an alternative vehicle for those seeking to unseat the current administration in 2027.
Fatima’s defection further underscores the shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s political space, as established political families, technocrats and grassroots actors reassess their affiliations ahead of the next election cycle.
