Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphatically rejected calls for him to step down from the 2027 presidential race under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that only President Bola Tinubu should consider stepping down due to his mismanagement of the country. Atiku’s statement, issued by his media adviser Paul Ibe on Tuesday, came in response to growing pressure and speculation that he might relinquish his ambition in favor of a southern candidate.

Defiant in His Presidential Ambition

Atiku, a long-time political figure and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, said he would not abandon his quest for the presidency. Instead, he accused President Tinubu of orchestrating a deliberate scheme to weaken opposition parties and secure a one-party rule.

Refuting suggestions that he should step aside for a southern candidate, Atiku stated, “For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured some of the harshest policies in recent history, compounded by economic hardship and the shrinking of democratic spaces under President Bola Tinubu.”

He described the current administration as a growing national liability, alleging that it had made concerted efforts to eliminate political alternatives and manipulate the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Criticism of Tinubu’s Administration

Atiku accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately undermining opposition parties, making it difficult for Nigerians to have viable political alternatives. “The APC now stands dominant by default, not merit,” he asserted. He went on to claim that Tinubu’s government had worked to weaken opposition factions, consolidating political power and moving the country toward what he termed a “de facto one-party state.”

He warned that those in power often forget the transient nature of their positions, emphasizing that the real battle was for Nigeria’s democracy and future. “Anyone calling for Atiku to step aside is giving a gift to authoritarianism and betraying the Nigerian people,” he said, stressing the need for resistance.

Rallying Support for ADC

Atiku’s comments came amid a significant shift in the political landscape, with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi joining the ADC. This move has sparked realignments within the opposition, creating a more formidable alternative to the ruling APC.

Atiku dismissed any suggestions of stepping aside for Obi, describing the ADC as a “national rescue mission.” He reiterated that his role in the opposition’s efforts was central and that any internal pressure on him to relinquish his candidacy would be seen as a betrayal of the democratic process.

The former Vice President said that the ADC was committed to an open, competitive, and transparent process for selecting its candidate for the 2027 elections. “No intimidation, manipulation, or sabotage will derail our plans,” Atiku vowed. He also stated that the ADC’s focus was on building strong grassroots structures at local, state, and national levels.

Rejection of Political Pressure

Atiku also pointed to the growing influence of his political opponents, claiming that the Tinubu-led APC feared a united opposition. He mentioned how Peter Obi’s declaration of membership in the ADC had triggered open boasting among presidential aides and ministers about plans to disrupt the opposition coalition.

Despite the pressure, Atiku reaffirmed that he would not back down. “Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission,” he stated.

A Call for Tinubu’s Resignation

In a striking conclusion, Atiku turned the call for him to step aside back on President Tinubu, declaring that if anyone should step down in 2027, it should be Tinubu himself, whose leadership, he said, had become an “unmitigated disaster” for Nigeria.

“The Nigerian people deserve better,” Atiku concluded. “Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.”