Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly ruled out stepping down from the race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, while accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of opposition parties to weaken them ahead of the 2027 elections. The former vice president’s statement, released on Tuesday through his media adviser Paul Ibe, comes amid speculation that southern candidates may be favored to lead the opposition coalition, prompting calls from some quarters for Atiku to step aside.
In his statement, Atiku described efforts to pressure him to withdraw from the race as part of a broader strategy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine opposition parties. He called on Nigerians to resist intimidation and manipulation from the ruling party, framing the contest as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s democracy. “Any call overt or covert for Atiku to step aside is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
Atiku directly accused the Tinubu administration of misgovernance, labeling it a growing national liability. He criticized the administration for imposing punishing economic policies on Nigerians, shrinking democratic space, and systematically weakening opposition parties. “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 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Atiku said, highlighting what he described as the administration’s deliberate effort to eliminate political alternatives.
He warned that the APC’s actions are paving the way for a creeping, de facto one-party state, noting that the systematic weakening of opposition parties allows the ruling party to dominate by default rather than merit. “Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing achievement has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress despite its manifest failures standing alone by default, not by merit,” Atiku said.
Amid the speculation, political observers have noted that former Anambra State governor Peter Obi recently joined the ADC, raising the possibility of a southern candidate emerging as a compromise presidential flagbearer. Reports also suggest that Atiku may be considering a joint ticket with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, an arrangement that could strengthen his position and broaden the opposition coalition ahead of the general election.
Despite this speculation, Atiku firmly rejected any notion of stepping aside, insisting that the ADC is central to building a credible national alternative to the APC. He framed his candidacy as part of a larger mission to rescue Nigeria from misgovernance, calling on patriotic leaders and citizens to resist attempts to destabilize the party from the outside. “The ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort,” the statement read.
The former vice president also criticized APC-aligned individuals who have issued public prescriptions about ADC’s internal affairs, describing these actions as interference and intimidation. He emphasized that the party’s internal processes for selecting a presidential candidate remain open, competitive, and transparent, and that no external party has the standing to influence them.
Atiku highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ward, local government, and state structures nationwide, arguing that consolidating grassroots support is essential for creating a viable opposition platform. He cautioned against infiltrators and disruptors who seek to undermine the party’s operations, noting that external interference will not be tolerated.
The ADC has reiterated its openness to all qualified opposition figures, emphasizing inclusiveness and democratic competition rather than coercion as the foundation of its political strategy. Atiku framed this as a contrast to what he described as the APC’s authoritarian tendencies, calling for a level playing field in which candidates present themselves freely based on merit.
Atiku’s statement singled out President Tinubu as the figure who should consider stepping aside if Nigeria is to be rescued from political mismanagement. He argued that the APC leader’s administration has become a liability, asserting that the party’s failures have imposed widespread hardship on the populace. “No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability,” Atiku said.
The former vice president also addressed recent developments in Enugu, where Peter Obi publicly declared his ADC membership. He noted that government officials and APC affiliates have responded with open boasts about plans to undermine the party, interpreting these reactions as evidence of the ruling party’s fear of a unified opposition.
Political analysts have suggested that Atiku’s defiance is significant for the 2027 presidential race, as it signals that opposition coalitions may not easily yield to pressure from the ruling party. Atiku’s refusal to step aside underscores a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where veteran politicians leverage their influence to consolidate party strength while resisting external interference.
Observers also note that the ADC’s emphasis on transparent internal elections and nationwide organizational growth may help it emerge as a credible platform to challenge the APC in 2027. Analysts argue that Atiku’s insistence on resisting pressure to step down positions him as a unifying figure capable of bridging regional and political divides within the opposition.
The former vice president concluded his statement by reaffirming the ADC’s commitment to ending the misfortunes imposed by the Tinubu-led APC, stressing that intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will not derail the party’s mission. He appealed to Nigerians to uphold democratic principles and resist any attempt to create a monopolistic political environment.