ADC Issues Ultimatum to Atiku, Babachir Lawal Over Membership Registration
Yola, Adamawa State – September 29, 2025
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong ultimatum to some of its most high-profile members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, directing them to formally register at their respective political wards before the end of the year or risk being stripped of recognition as party members.
The warning was delivered by Shehu Yohanna, Chairman of the ADC in Adamawa State, during an exclusive interview with The PUNCH in Yola. Yohanna revealed that the party had unveiled a new membership register, emphasizing that only individuals who had properly enrolled and obtained valid membership cards would be acknowledged as bonafide members of the party.
“Go Back to Your Wards and Register” – ADC Tells Atiku, Babachir
Yohanna singled out Atiku Abubakar, a native of Jada Local Government Area, and Babachir Lawal, who hails from Hong Local Government Area, stressing that their influence within the ADC would not substitute for formal compliance with the party’s constitution.
“Atiku Abubakar should go to his ward in Jada Local Government and register, Babachir should go to his ward in Hong Local Government and register. That is the only way they can be treated as legitimate members of the party,” Yohanna declared.
He added that the ADC was not prepared to entertain decisions or directives from individuals who had not regularised their membership status.
“You cannot be taking decisions for a party you are not constitutionally a member of. All of you should register for the greatness of our party,” the state chairman stressed.
A Push for Party Discipline
The ultimatum is widely seen as part of a broader effort by the ADC to instill discipline and structure within its ranks. With Nigeria’s political space dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the ADC has positioned itself as a “third force,” often attracting heavyweight politicians dissatisfied with the two leading parties.
By demanding that figures like Atiku and Babachir formalise their membership, the ADC appears determined to tighten its internal structures and avoid being used as a temporary political platform by elites during election cycles.
Why It Matters
The ADC’s move has sparked interest because of the political stature of those named:
- Atiku Abubakar served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and has contested multiple times for Nigeria’s presidency. Though primarily associated with the PDP, his name being linked with the ADC has drawn attention to possible alignments ahead of 2027.
- Babachir Lawal, a former SGF under President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained an influential political actor in Adamawa and the broader Northeast, often advocating for reforms within Nigeria’s governance system.
For both figures, formal registration at the ward level could either consolidate or weaken speculation about their political direction.
Reactions Within the ADC
Party insiders told The PUNCH that the new membership register is part of a nationwide revalidation exercise ordered by the ADC National Working Committee. The goal, they said, is to ensure that only properly documented members participate in upcoming congresses and decision-making processes.
One senior ADC member in Adamawa said:
“We have had issues in the past where people lay claim to our platform without being properly registered. This time, we want to make sure that only genuine members make decisions.”
Implications for Atiku and Babachir
Political observers suggest that the ultimatum places Atiku and Babachir in a delicate position. While both men retain strong political networks, particularly in Adamawa State, their willingness—or reluctance—to comply with the ADC’s directive could signal their level of commitment to the party.
Failure to register could see the ADC publicly distancing itself from them, limiting their influence within the party and raising questions about their next political steps. Conversely, compliance would strengthen their legitimacy and possibly boost ADC’s profile ahead of the next general elections.
What Next?
The ADC has set the deadline for registration before the end of 2025, giving Atiku, Babachir, and other high-profile members just three months to comply.
With political alignments already shifting ahead of the 2027 elections, the ADC’s stance could either galvanize support for the party as a credible platform or expose divisions if its demands are ignored.
For now, all eyes are on whether Atiku Abubakar will make the symbolic trip to his ward in Jada to register, and whether Babachir Lawal will follow suit in Hong. Their decisions may go a long way in shaping not only the internal dynamics of the ADC but also the wider political landscape of Adamawa State and beyond.
