In a firm response to ongoing political rumors, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured the public that no candidate within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will be stepping down ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The statement, released on Tuesday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, serves as a direct rebuttal to suggestions that Atiku is being pressured to pave the way for a Southern flagbearer.
Atiku characterized the current administration under President Bola Tinubu as a “national liability,” arguing that the last three years have been marked by severe economic hardship and a deliberate attempt to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of working systematically to weaken opposition parties in an effort to create a de facto one-party state.
According to the statement, patriotic leaders recognized the dangers of this political trajectory early on and chose to rally around the ADC as a credible alternative. Atiku noted that the sudden “reckless prescriptions” from external agents regarding the ADC’s internal affairs are a clear sign of desperation from those aligned with the presidency. He insisted that the choice of a candidate belongs to the party and its mission to rescue the nation, not to outside interests.
The former Vice President made it clear that he and other committed members of the ADC are focused on a national rescue mission. He warned that any calls for him to step aside—whether overt or covert—are essentially a gift to those with authoritarian ambitions. By standing his ground, Atiku is signaling a refusal to let the opposition be intimidated or infiltrated as the country approaches the next major electoral cycle.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the ADC appears to be positioning itself as the nucleus for those resisting the current administration’s policies. For Atiku, the focus remains on building a united front that can offer Nigerians a genuine alternative to the status quo, ensuring that the 2027 polls are a contest of merit rather than a default victory for the ruling party.
