Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly fallen ill and was placed on bed rest, a development said to have contributed to the postponement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential screening exercise.

Sources within the party disclosed that Atiku became ill over the weekend and has been receiving treatment from his personal physician at home.

The development comes amid growing internal consultations within the ADC over the party’s presidential screening process ahead of the 2027 election.

ADC Shifts Screening Exercise

The ADC had earlier announced the postponement of its presidential screening exercise from Monday to Wednesday.

Party insiders said the delay was linked to ongoing discussions among leading aspirants and party stakeholders over the possibility of adopting a consensus candidate.

Key figures reportedly involved in the talks include former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

A source within the party said officials who visited Atiku over the weekend were informed that he was unwell.

“We went to see him on Saturday to discuss the manifesto and they said he cannot come down because he was sick,” the source said.

Another party source added that the former vice president remained indisposed as of Monday.

“He fell seriously sick on Saturday. He was treated at home by his personal physician and placed on enforced bed rest throughout Sunday,” the source disclosed.

Party Yet To Confirm Health Status

According to insiders, ADC leadership was formally informed about Atiku’s condition after attempts to meet with him.

“The party leadership was informed when they sought to see him. His current condition is still unclear,” another source said.

The former vice president was last publicly seen during the submission of his nomination forms at the ADC national secretariat in Abuja before reports of his illness emerged.

However, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed claims suggesting that the former vice president was seriously ill.

ADC Cites Security Concerns

Meanwhile, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, had earlier explained that the screening exercise was postponed due to internal adjustments and security concerns affecting some northern states.

The party also announced that screening for certain federal lawmaker aspirants from affected northern areas would now take place in Abuja.

As of the time of filing this report, the ADC had not officially confirmed Atiku Abubakar’s health condition.