Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun quiet consultations that could shape internal governance debates within the African Democratic Congress, meeting with key South-East political figures in Abuja on Tuesday night, according to sources familiar with the engagement.
The closed-door session, held alongside an Iftar dinner, is seen by party insiders as an early move to influence how the ADC manages power-sharing, alliances and decision-making as it prepares for presidential primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources say discussions focused on collaboration and the South-East’s place in the party’s national strategy, raising broader questions about inclusion, regional balance and how the ADC positions itself as it undergoes internal realignments.
The meeting took place at the Abuja residence of Sir Chikwe Udensi, an ADC chieftain, and drew a wide range of Igbo political stakeholders, including former and serving lawmakers, party founders and senior professionals from across the region.
Those present included Senator Augustine Akobundu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, former Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, former ADC National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, Senator Frank Ibezim and several other party figures, while Atiku attended with close associates, sources said.
Party officials describe the engagement as significant, noting that outcomes from such consultations often influence internal rules, consensus-building and the tone of primary elections, especially in a party seeking to expand its national footprint.
Atiku has yet to comment publicly on the meeting, but with the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable requiring parties to conclude primaries by May 30, 2026, analysts say the talks underline how early negotiations could determine the ADC’s governance direction ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.