REVEALED: How Atiku’s attempt to take over ADC failed – Tinubu

Tinubu Accuses Atiku of Trying to ‘Privatise’ ADC Amid Party Crisis

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of attempting to “privatise” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid its ongoing leadership crisis.

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while hosting a delegation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House in Abuja. He linked the internal challenges within the ADC to what he described as efforts by Atiku to take control of the party for personal political gain.

The president also revisited Atiku’s past involvement in Nigeria’s privatisation programme, claiming it did not deliver the expected results. According to Tinubu, the former vice-president’s track record raises questions about his current political moves.

“The head [Atiku] was the chairman of the privatisation council of Nigeria (NPC). He privatised the steel industry in Delta; is it working today? No. He privatised Ajaokuta. Is it working today? No, I can go on to list. They privatise another man’s political party, but the man (owner) said no,” the president said.

Since July 2025, when an opposition coalition took over the ADC’s leadership, the party has been embroiled in internal disputes, with Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman, alleging that the David Mark-led leadership was illegally appointed.

The ADC is polarised into three factions led by Mark, Bala, and Ogga Kingsley, respectively.

On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) derecognised the Mark-led faction and Bala’s group following an interim ruling of the court of appeal.

The supreme court has fixed April 22 to hear an appeal filed by Mark against a suit instituted by Bala’s faction, challenging his leadership.

On April 13, a faction of the ADC in Adamawa suspended the former vice-president, accusing him of causing disunity in the party.