Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president, has hinted he may not pursue another presidential run if a younger aspirant defeats him in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primaries.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, the 78-year-old politician said he would not only accept defeat but also support and mentor the winner.
“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” Atiku said.
While refusing to confirm if he would contest in 2027, Abubakar stressed that his priority was to build the ADC into a formidable force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, Amaechi in the Mix
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, have both shown interest in the ADC ticket. Both men are significantly younger than Atiku, who will be 81 by the next election.
Why Atiku Dumped PDP
Atiku, the PDP’s presidential flag bearer in 2023, resigned from the party in July, citing internal crises and alleged infiltration by APC loyalists.
“The APC government has used some PDP leaders to frustrate efforts to build a strong opposition,” he said.
He added that he would have acted decisively to fix the PDP if party leadership positions had been occupied by those willing to listen.
Building ADC From Scratch
According to Abubakar, the focus now is to strengthen ADC structures across the states and local governments ahead of 2027.
“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” he said.
Atiku has made six attempts at Nigeria’s top seat, appearing on the presidential ballot three times — in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
