Atiku Tried to Privatise ADC but Was Rejected — Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of attempting to take control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), linking the allegation to the party’s ongoing internal crisis.

Speaking on Thursday at the State House while receiving a delegation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu said the leadership disputes within the ADC stem from what he described as an effort by Abubakar to “privatise” the party.

The president also criticised Abubakar’s record during his time overseeing Nigeria’s privatisation programme. He referenced past reforms in the steel sector, questioning their effectiveness and suggesting they failed to deliver lasting results. According to Tinubu, a similar approach was being applied in the political space but met resistance within the party.

The ADC has faced sustained internal divisions since July 2025, when an opposition coalition assumed control of its leadership. The situation has since evolved into a three-way split, with factions led by David Mark, Nafiu Bala, and Ogga Kingsley.

Legal challenges have further complicated the dispute. On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of both the Mark-led faction and Bala’s group following an interim ruling by the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is scheduled to hear an appeal on April 22 regarding the leadership tussle.

Tensions within the party have also played out at the state level. On April 13, a faction of the ADC in Adamawa announced the suspension of Abubakar, accusing him of contributing to internal divisions.