President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, alleging that he tried to take control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for personal interest.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving a delegation of renewed hope ambassadors at the State House, Tinubu linked the ongoing leadership crisis within the party to what he described as an effort by Atiku to “privatise” the ADC.
The president also questioned Atiku’s track record during Nigeria’s privatisation programme, suggesting that previous efforts under his leadership did not yield results.
“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 assumed control of the ADC leadership, the party has faced persistent internal disputes. Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman, has claimed that the leadership under David Mark was illegally constituted.
The party is currently divided into three factions led by Mark, Bala, and Ogga Kingsley.
On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the factions led by Mark and Bala following an interim ruling by the court of appeal.
The Supreme Court has scheduled April 22 to hear an appeal filed by Mark, challenging the case brought by Bala’s faction over the party’s leadership.
Earlier, on April 13, a faction of the ADC in Adamawa announced the suspension of the former vice-president, accusing him of fuelling division within the party.