The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was absent from the G100 opposition summit held in Abuja.
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the ADC, said on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Day Break that the summit was primarily focused on discussions among political parties rather than individual presidential candidates.
“The way we understand it, the summit is more about conversation between political parties rather than conversation among candidates. It’s more about exploring cooperation opportunities among political parties,” he said.
Abdullahi argued that the ADC was adequately represented at the meeting and that Atiku’s physical attendance was therefore not necessary.
“So it’s not consequential that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was not present. I was there. The party was highly represented. We had like four vice chairmen there at the G100 summit. So ADC was fully represented that we participated in the process,” he said.
The summit, held on Monday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, brought together representatives of six major opposition political parties to discuss possible areas of cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by opposition parties to establish a common framework for collaboration in their bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, Atiku, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, were among prominent opposition figures who were absent from the gathering.
Some presidential candidates who attended the summit included Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Moses Adebisi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA).
Source: Arise Television
