By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday formally unveiled its new national headquarters in Abuja — a building previously used by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during his 2023 presidential campaign — insisting that the property was never owned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.

Fielding questions from journalists at the unveiling ceremony on November 17, 2025, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi clarified that Atiku’s tenancy had simply expired and that the party had now lawfully taken possession.

“At no time did this building belong to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He leased it strictly for his 2023 campaign, and that lease has since elapsed. The ADC is now the rightful occupant. This is purely an ADC decision,” Abdullahi stated.

Abdullahi assured journalists that the party’s national secretariat would operate with transparency and fairness under the new leadership.

He noted that the ADC had kept its promise to retain its Legacy Chairmen across the states, adding that interim transition committees were already being set up nationwide to run party affairs over the next 90 days ahead of the February 2026 congresses.

“In the coming days, you will see membership registration and validation across the country. Time is not on our side considering INEC’s timetable. Congresses must happen — and these processes must be preceded by proper membership registration,” he said.

Responding to claims that Atiku may be planning a return to the PDP, Abdullahi dismissed the rumour entirely.

“There are milestones, not deadlines, for those who joined the ADC from other parties. At the last NEC meeting, we simply asked those who had not formally resigned from their former parties to do so for proper documentation,” he explained.

He confirmed that key political figures such as Nasir El-Rufai and Peter Obi remained part of the coalition, noting that Obi had been granted a concession until after the Anambra election — a process that has now been concluded.

“No leader has indicated any change of commitment. They remain fully part of the coalition and the ADC,” he stressed.

On the party’s performance in the recent Anambra governorship election, Abdullahi maintained that the outcome was not unexpected.

“Anambra is a peculiar state. Not even the ruling party at the centre has been able to take it from APGA — not the APC, not the PDP. So it is not catastrophic that the ADC did not win,” he noted.

He added that most processes leading to the election had been concluded before the coalition structure was fully established, insisting that the contest should not be used to judge the party’s future strength.

Responding to Standard Times Nigeria’s correspondent on the party’s readiness for 2027, Abdullahi said there was a growing national consensus that Nigerians no longer wanted the APC to remain in power.

“The question is whether we, as the opposition, can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative,” he said.

He emphasized that the ADC was focused on winning over young Nigerians by rebuilding trust in politics.

“If you read our party anthem, you will see a clear philosophy guiding us. Soon, we will release our ethical principles — what ADC leaders must do and what they must never do. We are not doing this merely because we want power in 2027, but because we see an opportunity to reset Nigerian politics,” he said.

Abdullahi concluded that the ADC’s primary task was not to compete with other parties on preparedness, but to convince Nigerians that it best represents their interests and aspirations.

“We want Nigerians to believe again that politics can produce good, and that politicians can genuinely serve the people. That is the race we are running,” he added.