Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the African Democratic Congress’s presidential nominee for 2027 will be determined through consensus.
This comes as he said that the 2027 presidential race will be the end of his long political career, announcing categorically that he will not seek government beyond the next election cycle.
The former vice president also declared his willingness to endorse the winner of the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries later this year.
In an interview with ARISE TV on Wednesday, Atiku stated, “The first option will be to reach an agreement. If it doesn’t work, we’ll hold primary elections. But I will back whoever emerges.”
The ADC chairman hinted at his willingness to step aside if another candidate emerges from the coalition’s consensus or voting process.
“I will step aside for any winner,” he said, adding when asked specifically about Peter Obi, “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?”
When asked if he planned to leave politics after 2027, he replied, “Certainly yes, the stakes are higher because I believe that will be my last outing.”
When asked to confirm the finality of his decision, he stated unequivocally, “That’s incontrovertible.”
The former vice president, who has played a central role in Nigerian politics for decades, admitted that convincing Nigerians to support his candidacy again remained his immediate priority.
Responding to criticism that he represents the past rather than the future, Atiku stated that his experience is still relevant, stating, “I represent both the past and the future.”
He noted that while younger leaders have had opportunities in governance, their performance has not entirely matched the people’s expectations.
“We have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them. And I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership are below what we thought,” he said.
Atiku emphasized the value of leadership experience, citing his time serving under former President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007).
According to him, “What I was able to learn from President Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside.”
During the interview, Atiku also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, calling its performance poor.
“Bola has been a very bad president, to be honest with you. In the way he governs the country, whether economically or otherwise, it’s a disappointment,” he said.
He voiced concern about the status of democratic institutions and cautioned against concentration of power.
“We have seen how, virtually, you know, the presidency has almost turned the various institutions that are supposed to be checks and balances under one roof, which is quite dangerous,” he stated.
The Waziri Adamawa has stated that he is a main driver of a broad political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that coalitions are required for electoral victory in Nigeria.
“I am one of the initiators of this coalition, or perhaps the leading initiator of the coalition,” he said.
He stated that his position was influenced by historical tendencies.
“I studied the political history of Nigeria; the only future is a broad coalition,” he said.
Atiku said that the growing alliance goes across major political blocs, noting, “You have elements from APC, from PDP, from NNPP, and from Labour. So that makes it a much broader coalition.”
Atiku also expressed confidence in his traditional political base in Northern Nigeria, saying, “The North still remains my major political base.”
On constitutional change, he called for the formalization of zoning in Nigeria’s constitution to promote fair power rotation.
“Even if it is the only amendment I can make, I will move towards that,” he said.
Despite his persistent desire, Atiku accepted that 2027 would be his final bid for the presidency, leaving the future to a new generation of leaders.
“That’s left to the next generation to take it on,” he noted.
His declaration paves the way for what may be a defining and final political battle in 2027, as he strives to reclaim the office after repeated failed efforts.
