The African Democratic Congress has explained why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi were absent at the unveiling of the party’s new secretariat in Abuja on November 17.

The ADC dismissed claims that Obi avoided the event because the building previously served as Atiku’s campaign office. National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai attended the launch, but Atiku and Obi did not.

Mark described the new secretariat as a symbol of the coalition’s mission to reshape Nigeria’s political future.

ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi clarified that Obi was out of the country, while Atiku had other engagements. He stressed that Obi remains committed to the coalition and that the building was not donated by Atiku, but simply leased to the ADC after his rent expired.

Abdullahi also insisted there was no division within the coalition, which remains focused on unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Similarly, Obidient Movement coordinator Yunusa Tanko dismissed rumours that Obi was leaving the coalition. He said Obi is only taking time to make the “right decision” about his political future and will announce his next move after the Anambra election.