African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday said there was no controversy over the registration of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as a member of African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar last week formally registered with ADC, signalling a major development in the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Controversy had, however, trailed Mr Atiku’s registration, as he was said not to have registered with duly constituted ward executives in Jada 1 Ward in the Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher Okechukwu, in a statement, said that the former vice-president had not completed a valid membership registration with the party.

Mr Okechukwu claimed that the process carried out at Jada 1 ward did not involve officials recognised by the national headquarters.

“This registration was conducted through individuals who are not recognised by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lack the authority to register new members. We have consistently urged Mr Abubakar to complete his registration with the duly constituted and authentic party executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take,” he stated.

Mr Abdullahi, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that the individual quoted in the report did not exist within records or its leadership organs.

He warned that amplifying such ‘unauthorised statements’ was capable of misleading the public and undermining confidence in institutions backed by the party’s NEC and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The ADC spokesman cautioned that attempts to weaken opposition parties threatened multiparty democracy, urging the media not to enable efforts that could push Nigeria towards one-party state.

“The person quoted in that report is unknown to the ADC at any level and does not exist within our structures, registers or leadership organs. The national leadership of the ADC is not in any doubt, and no one authorised to speak for the party has said anything close to what was reported. The publication of such unauthorised statements not only misleads the public but also brings the integrity of the media to question.

(NAN)