Fact-Check: No Evidence Aisha Buhari Has Defected to ADC

Claim: An X user, @sultanbellojr, posts a claim that the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Verdict: Unproven

Background Story

Recent media reports drew public attention to a visit by former First Lady Aisha Buhari to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections.

Atiku disclosed the meeting on his social media account, describing Aisha Buhari’s visit as “warm and deeply appreciated.” However, neither Atiku nor Aisha publicly stated that the meeting was related to a change in political affiliation.

Amid the reports, a social media post began circulating with the claim that the former First Lady had defected to the ADC.

The claim attracted significant engagement, with users debating the political significance of Aisha Buhari’s meeting with Atiku.

One user, @baffa_ij questioned the alleged defection, while another, @nessusgrowth asked whether Aisha Buhari would no longer support her son, Yusuf Buhari, who is affiliated with the APC. Another user, @Showolemutiu002 argued that Aisha was free to make her own political choice.

Against this backdrop, NDRFactCheck examined the claim to establish whether Aisha Buhari had indeed joined the ADC.

Verification

NDRFactCheck reviewed available reports and public statements concerning Aisha Buhari’s meeting with Atiku Abubakar.

Several media reports confirmed that Aisha Buhari visited Atiku on September 16, 2026.

Atiku described the meeting as “warm and deeply appreciated” and used the occasion to discuss the economic pressures facing Nigerian families.

However, the reports did not state that Aisha Buhari joined the ADC or endorsed Atiku’s candidacy.

Similarly, Business Day reported that despite the heightened political atmosphere occasioned by the visit, there was no indication by the first lady that her meeting amounted to any endorsement of Atiku or a change in her political position.”

A review of the ADC’s official news and public information pages also found no announcement indicating that Aisha Buhari had joined the party.

Aisha Buhari also appears to have remained connected to her family’s APC activities. In May 2026, her son, Yusuf Buhari, won the APC primary for the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 election.

Reports also said Aisha Buhari held a reception in Daura after Yusuf Buhari won the APC primary.

What We Found

The evidence confirms that Aisha Buhari met Atiku Abubakar, but a meeting with a political figure does not, by itself, establish a change of party affiliation.

As of September 17, 2026, NDRFactCheck found no credible public announcement or evidence confirming that Aisha Buhari has defected to the ADC.

Conclusion

The claim is misleading because it presents Aisha Buhari’s visit to Atiku Abubakar as proof that she has joined the ADC. While the visit is confirmed, there is currently no credible evidence that she has defected to the party.

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