Jonathan, Mark in Secret Parley as ADC Caucus Orders Full Migration to Party

…Party Directs Members, Allies, Promoters to Move Into Party Structures

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Senate President David Mark held a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Thursday, even as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) caucus formally directed its supporters, allies, and promoters nationwide to fully migrate into the party.

The high-level ADC caucus meeting, which drew leaders from across the six geopolitical zones, resolved that the time had come to move beyond shadow engagements and consolidate structures openly under the ADC banner. Party sources disclosed that discussions centred on strengthening grassroots mobilization, streamlining campaign networks, and harmonizing state chapters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Although Jonathan has not joined the ADC, he is at the centre of quiet moves by key opposition figures in both the ADC and the People’s Democratic Party,PDP, who are wooing him to fly their party flags. His appeal lies in the fact that, as a Southerner who can only constitutionally serve one more term, he provides the North with an assurance that power will rotate back to the region by 2031. Within the PDP, senior figures such as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and respected elder statesman Professor Jerry Gana have at different times been linked to overtures urging Jonathan to return to the party fold and lead a national reconciliation project. On the ADC side, strategists see Jonathan as a potential game-changer who could give the party instant global visibility and even more credibility on the national stage, and discussions along this line are said to have quietly gained momentum.

For Mark, the meeting carried symbolic undertones. He was Senate President in 2010 when the National Assembly adopted the Doctrine of Necessity, clearing the way for Jonathan to assume office as Acting President during the incapacitation of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Insiders say his renewed association with Jonathan in the context of the ADC project could help steady the coalition and give it a stronger national base.

Reports say the caucus also directed immediate outreach to other political blocs and movements disillusioned with the current system. “We are opening our doors wide,” one member said, hinting at possible alliances with civil society groups, professional bodies, and youth movements.

Political observers note that the timing of the caucus resolution, coupled with Jonathan and Mark’s private meeting, signals that the ADC is positioning itself as the rallying point for those seeking an alternative to the ruling party and a fractured opposition. With structures now being consolidated and heavyweight figures being courted, the ADC may yet become the platform to watch as the 2027 elections loom.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, after Thursday’s caucus meeting that was attended by top party leaders and political figures, told the media that “ a final order has been given to all members to resign membership of other political parties, though the caucus was silent on the timeline,” Abdullahi said.

He said the caucus also announced that all issues concerning the African Democratic Association (ADA) had been concluded.
According to Abdullahi: “The Coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means, they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association.”

On the 2027 race, Abdullahi said the party’s presidential aspirants had agreed to back whoever emerges winner of the primaries.
“All the presidential aspirants have agreed to support whoever wins the primaries election,” he stated.
He further revealed that the National Working Committee would soon announce dates for primaries in Osun and Ekiti ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states.

Those present at the meeting included National Chairman David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi; and former Kwara State Governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed.

Peter Obi, who is yet to formally resign from the Labour Party, was absent with apologies, reaffirming his commitment to the coalition.