Leaders of the Action Democratic Party have said their meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration to strengthen democracy.
The ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, along with another party leader who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the issue, disclosed that the meeting could be linked to preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku held a private meeting with the ADP leaders in Abuja on February 1.
Following the meeting, there has been growing speculation that Atiku may be positioning the ADP as an alternative platform in case he does not secure the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Sani said the engagement with Atiku was aimed at strengthening and sustaining the country’s multi-party system in order to provide a credible challenge to the APC-led government of President Tinubu.
Yabagi said, “The meeting was largely about strengthening democracy and protecting democratic pluralism, ensuring that Nigeria’s multi-party system is sustained and that opposition parties have the stability needed to function effectively.
“The focus is on creating an environment where opposition groups feel reinforced and encouraged, especially amid concerns that the ruling APC is attempting to weaken and discourage opposition participation.”
