Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly affirmed that he will not step down from the 2027 presidential race, signaling his firm intention to contest under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This declaration comes amid heightened political tension and allegations of interference from the ruling party, demonstrating Atiku’s resolve to remain a key player in Nigeria’s upcoming electoral landscape.
Atiku, who previously ran for president under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this announcement through a statement released on Tuesday, signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe. The statement, titled “Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threat,” outlined what Atiku described as aggressive attempts by forces aligned with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence the internal affairs of the ADC and its selection of a presidential candidate. He warned that such maneuvers threatened the democratic process and could undermine the credibility of elections in the country.
Allegations of Political Interference
Atiku asserted that agents connected to the Presidency had begun to meddle in the party’s internal matters, including prescribing who should or should not contest the ADC presidential ticket. He described these actions as reckless and dangerous, claiming they were part of a broader strategy to weaken opposition platforms and consolidate power in favor of the APC. “Agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilize the ADC from the outside—issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate,” the statement read.
[/p]ADC Ticket Attracts Top Aspirants
The former Vice President confirmed that he is not the only prominent figure seeking the ADC presidential ticket. Checks show that other notable personalities, including former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, have also declared interest in contesting under the ADC platform. This has transformed the party into a hub for high-profile political aspirants seeking a credible alternative to the ruling APC.
Assurance of Transparent Process
Atiku emphasized that all aspirants would participate fully in the party’s presidential convention, underscoring the ADC leadership’s repeated assurances of a fair, transparent, and competitive selection process. “The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer,” the statement noted, highlighting his confidence in the party’s internal democracy despite outside pressures.
Rejection of Calls to Step Aside
The former Vice President explicitly rejected any suggestions that he should withdraw from the race, framing such calls as undermining democracy. “Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to ‘step aside’ is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” he warned, reinforcing his position that he will remain a candidate until the electoral process is concluded fairly.
Criticism of Tinubu Administration
Atiku also criticized the Tinubu-led APC government, alleging that Nigerians had endured economic hardship and shrinking democratic space under the administration. “For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history—an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space,” he stated. He further accused the APC of aiming to create a de facto one-party state in the country, describing the situation as a significant threat to democratic governance. “The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state,” he added.
ADC’s Role as Opposition Platform
According to Atiku, patriotic political leaders recognized the dangers posed by the APC’s dominance early on and chose to rally around the ADC as a credible opposition platform. “Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the ADC as the nucleus of a credible national alternative,” he said. The statement positions the ADC as central to providing Nigerians with an alternative choice in 2027, and Atiku as a champion of that effort.
Final Warning and Resolve
Atiku also referred to public statements by government officials following Peter Obi’s declaration of ADC membership in Enugu, interpreting them as signs of fear within the ruling party. He concluded with a strong warning that the ADC would continue to resist APC dominance while upholding democratic principles. “Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC,” the statement said, emphasizing the party’s commitment to challenge the ruling administration in the upcoming election. Atiku ended with a firm declaration, asserting, “Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight,” cementing his role as a key opposition figure leading the charge for political change in the country.