2027: Atiku Rules Out Stepping Down For Any Candidate

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he plans to step down for another candidate in the 2027 presidential election, describing the reports as false and misleading.

His media aide, Paul Ibe, explained in a statement on Thursday that the claims came from a misrepresentation of an interview Atiku granted to the BBC Hausa Service.

Misrepresented Interview Sparks Controversy

Ibe said a thorough review of the interview, both in the original Hausa and its English translation, showed that Atiku did not state or imply that he intends to withdraw for anyone. Instead, he clarified that the former Vice President only encouraged young Nigerians and other aspirants to freely enter the race.

He added that Atiku emphasised his readiness to support a young candidate if such a person emerges through a competitive primary process. According to Ibe, twisting this position into a claim that Atiku is considering stepping aside amounts to mischief that should not be encouraged.

Read also: Atiku Vows to Defend Yoruba Interests If Elected as President

The aide also criticised sections of the media for what he described as excessive interpretation of the interview, stressing that accuracy must guide political reporting as the 2027 election draws closer.

Atiku’s New Political Path

Atiku, who contested the 2019 and 2023 elections as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally resigned from the party in July. He cited irreconcilable differences and argued that the PDP had deviated from the principles on which it was founded.

He is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party that has recently attracted several opposition heavyweights seeking to form a strong platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Despite multiple presidential bids over the years, he has yet to secure victory at the polls. His decision to align with the ADC signals his determination to remain an active player in the country’s politics as the race for 2027 intensifies.