₦airaland Forum

2027 Presidency: I’m Willing to Step Down for a Younger Candidate – Atiku, Gives Reason

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is ready to shelve his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general election if a younger and widely acceptable candidate emerges under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku made this known during an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

The former presidential candidate explained that his interest in the 2027 race is not about personal ambition, but about providing a credible alternative to rescue the country from its current state. He urged younger Nigerians to actively participate in politics, assuring them of his full backing if they choose to run for the highest office.

“My being in the 2027 race does not prevent anyone from contesting. If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside,” Atiku stated.

Atiku also shed light on his decision to align with the ADC, blaming internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and alleged government interference for his departure.

According to him, efforts to build a united opposition under the PDP were repeatedly undermined by some party leaders who, he claimed, were being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to create division.APC party merchandise

“We couldn’t achieve our objectives in the PDP because some leaders were being influenced by the APC to frustrate the opposition. The crisis kept growing, and hopes of resolving it kept fading,” he explained.

He added that if he had held a key decision-making role within the PDP leadership, he would have taken firm steps to resolve the party’s challenges. However, he lamented that those occupying such positions were more focused on personal interests.APC party merchandise

Speaking on the future of the ADC, Atiku revealed that the party has already established its national leadership and is now focused on building strong state and local government structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our plan is to ensure the ADC has solid structures at every level, so we can be fully prepared for the elections,” he said.

He also reflected on Nigeria’s journey since independence, noting that while there have been some improvements, the country is still far from the vision of its founding fathers.

“Nigeria has experienced changes, but they are not the kind of progress our founding fathers envisioned. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he remarked.

Atiku is a joker! Who's that young candidate that can beat you in ADC?

Nice one Atiku..Peter Obi will floor Tinubu come 2027 if the electorial reforms are achieved

SeeAllen:
Nice one Atiku..Peter Obi will floor Tinubu come 2027 of the electorial reforms are achieved

Read before commenting because nobody can defeat Atiku in the ADC presidential primary.

The most important statement is "If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside,” Atiku stated." The the question is, "how will a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerge from ADC, when Atiku is the one in charge of the party?"

“My being in the 2027 race does not prevent anyone from contesting . If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside,” Atiku stated.

Does not prevent anyone from contesting

If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges

Bottom line

Irene671:
2027 Presidency: I’m Willing to Step Down for a Younger Candidate – Atiku, Gives Reason

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is ready to shelve his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general election if a younger and widely acceptable candidate emerges under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku made this known during an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

The former presidential candidate explained that his interest in the 2027 race is not about personal ambition, but about providing a credible alternative to rescue the country from its current state. He urged younger Nigerians to actively participate in politics, assuring them of his full backing if they choose to run for the highest office.

“My being in the 2027 race does not prevent anyone from contesting. If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside,” Atiku stated.

Atiku also shed light on his decision to align with the ADC, blaming internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and alleged government interference for his departure.

According to him, efforts to build a united opposition under the PDP were repeatedly undermined by some party leaders who, he claimed, were being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to create division.APC party merchandise

“We couldn’t achieve our objectives in the PDP because some leaders were being influenced by the APC to frustrate the opposition. The crisis kept growing, and hopes of resolving it kept fading,” he explained.

He added that if he had held a key decision-making role within the PDP leadership, he would have taken firm steps to resolve the party’s challenges. However, he lamented that those occupying such positions were more focused on personal interests.APC party merchandise

Speaking on the future of the ADC, Atiku revealed that the party has already established its national leadership and is now focused on building strong state and local government structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our plan is to ensure the ADC has solid structures at every level, so we can be fully prepared for the elections,” he said.

He also reflected on Nigeria’s journey since independence, noting that while there have been some improvements, the country is still far from the vision of its founding fathers.

“Nigeria has experienced changes, but they are not the kind of progress our founding fathers envisioned. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he remarked.

Don't believe this man, he is playing a game.

SmartPolician:
Atiku is a joker! Who's that young candidate that can beat you in ADC?

If there's none that can beat him in a party primary, then how can such candidate defeat Tinubu in the general election? Will the candidate also pressure Tinubu to step down? And before you come up with your tired "dollarised primaries" cliché, Atiku has lost primary elections several times in the past.

1993 Vs MKO: He stepped down and supported MKO.

2011 Vs GEJ: He came 2nd and supported Jonathan.

2015 Vs Buhari: He came 3rd and supported Buhari.

These are the years he didn't get the ticket. Atiku has paid his dues and he's not asking for free ticket. Simply contest the primaries and defeat him at the polls or go form your own party.

SmartPolician:
Read before commenting because nobody can defeat Atiku in the ADC presidential primary.

Who go defeat, who dey share hard currency 💲💵 in brown envelopes?

1993- MKO Abiola was his senior. Atiku wasn't that rich as per his hand never begin touch serious government money
2011- GEJ out spent him, yes, delegates were paid heavily. I have evidence of that.

2015 - Tinubu, Amaechi heavily funded Buhari's primary with Lagos and Rivers money. They out spent him naira to naira,dollar to dollar. I have evidence too

2019- He out spent Wike who tried to sponsor Tambuwal. It was dollar reign in the Port Harcourt PDP primaries.

2023- same as 2019

AMINDA:
If there's none that can beat him in a party primary, then how can such candidate defeat Tinubu in the general election? Will the candidate also pressure Tinubu to step down? And before you come up with your tired "dollarised primaries" cliché, Atiku has lost primary elections several times in the past.

1993 Vs MKO: He stepped down and supported MKO.

2011 Vs GEJ: He came 2nd and supported jonathan.

2015 Vs Buhari: He came 3rd and supported Buhari.

These are the years he didn't get the ticket. Atiku has paid his dues and he's not asking for free ticket. Simply contest the primaries and defeat him at the polls or go form your own party.

Why not just back out of the contest and support Peter Obi your younger brother? Nobody is deceived by this your fake narrative. Instead of lying that you’re waiting for a younger candidate to emerge from a primary election you know is already compromised in your favour, why not just back one from the south and stick with him till the end?

In 2023, you claimed Wike was the reason you couldn’t support the zoning of the PDP ticket to the south east. Now that Wike is not in ADC, what’s your excuse not to advocate for zoning the ticket to south east?

Atiku is a joker no one can defeat you both old and young which he knows very well

Walai:
1993- MKO Abiola was his senior. Atiku wasn't that rich as per his hand never begin touch serious government money
2011- GEJ out spent him, yes, delegates were paid heavily. I have evidence of that.

2015 - Tinubu, Amaechi heavily funded Buhari's primary with Lagos and Rivers money. They out spent him naira to naira,dollar to dollar. I have evidence too

2019- He out spent Wike who tried to sponsor Tambuwal. It was dollar reign in the Port Harcourt PDP primaries.

2023- same as 2019

Okay, assuming but not conceding that all what you said are true, what would your candidate do if he gets a free ticket and meets Tinubu at the polls who has money to spend? Ask Tinubu to step down? You all are not ready. Not even Jonathan, a former president will get a free ticket under the PDP.

seunmsg:
Why not just back out of the contest and support Peter Obi your younger brother?

Football age aside, is Atiku older than Tinubu? Why didn't Tinubu step down for his younger brother, Osinbajo? You are talking about zoning but APC is telling Jonathan not to contest while preventing Obi from running under the Labour party, all while screaming "It's the turn of the South". Does he mean it's the turn of the Southwest? Why is Tinubu afraid of contesting against his fellow Southerners?

AMINDA:
Football age aside, is Atiku older than Tinubu? Why didn't Tinubu step down for his younger brother, Osinbajo?

Tinubu did not contest against Buhari, his elder brother both in 2015 and 2019. He waited till his elder brother completed the turn of the north.

2023-2031 is the turn of the south. It’s only sensible, fair and just for Atiku to behave like a democrat like Bola Tinubu and support his brother from the south to pick the party’s ticket. He should stop being greedy, selfish, and unfair to the south east people who have supported him when it was the turn of the north. Now is payback time. Atiku should step down for Peter immediately.

It's the turn of Tinubu. Emi lokan. He really believes it. That's why he wants no Southerner asides him on the ballot.

ADC claimed the coalition is to remove an incompetent and corrupt government. If a candidate have to buy delegates before he becomes their flag bearer then Obi should rather remain in LP or at worst, BAT should go for second tenure lets finish this country kpatakpata.
I trust PO, he will rather donate 100M to a School of Nursing in Kogi than give any delegate shishi to elect him a Presidential candidate.

AMINDA:
Okay, assuming but no conceding that all what you said are true, what would your candidate do if he gets a free ticket and meets Tinubu at the polls who has money to spend? Ask Tinubu to step down? You all are not ready. Not even Jonathan, a former president will get a free ticket under the PDP.

AMINDA:
It's the turn of Tinubu. Emi lokan. He really believes it. That's why he wants no Southerner asides him on the ballot.

This is not about Tinubu. It’s about Atiku doing the right thing. It’s about Atiku supporting justice, fairness and level playing field. It’s about Atiku doing the right thing and backing Peter Obi. It’s about Atiku not dollarizing the ADC primary like he did at the last two PDP primaries.

So, stop trying to derail the thread and stick to the subject of discussion. Atiku led a group of turncoat governors to breakaway from PDP in 2015 simply because PDP failed to respect the zoning formula. He particularly insisted that 2015 was the turn of the north. We all know how he worked against GEJ. So, what has changed? Why the double standard? With Atiku’s backing, Peter Obi will easily defeat Tinubu. So, he should back down immediately and support Obi.

In summary, come win me for primary make I see

But play your game till the end to be sure of who you'll support.

seunmsg:
This is not about Tinubu. It’s about Atiku doing the right thing. It’s about Atiku supporting justice, fairness and level playing field. It’s about Atiku doing the right thing and backing Peter Obi. It’s about Atiku not dollarizing the ADC primary like he did at the last two PDP primaries.

Indeed. I think you all should be worrying about Jonathan, not Atiku. Better tell Wike not to fail in preventing Jonathan from getting the PDP ticket. Atiku will contest the primaries under the ADC. The primaries will be free and fair. If Atiku didn't stand any chance and is inconsequential, you wouldn't be so bothered and worked up about his candidacy. If Atiku wins the primaries, whoever is dissatisfied can go get a free ticket elsewhere or vote Tinubu. All stations settled.

Walai:
ADC claimed the coalition is to remove an incompetent and corrupt government. If a candidate have to buy delegates before he becomes their flag bearer then Obi should rather remain in LP or at worst, BAT should go for second tenure lets finish this country kpatakpata.
I trust PO, he will rather donate 100M to a School of Nursing in Kogi than give any delegate shishi to elect him a Presidential candidate.

Lol. You did not answer this pertinent question. What would Peter Obi do when he meets Tinubu at the polls who is ready to splurge dollars? Command Tinubu to step down or demand that he doesn't dollarise the general election?

My brother if our mumu never do after all we have passed through in APC hand then PO should go and enjoy his life and leave Nigerians.
I repeat, Peter Obi should not give anybody shishi in the name of buying votes.

AMINDA:
Lol. You did not answer this pertinent question. What would Peter Obi do when he meets Tinubu at the polls who is ready to splurged dollars? Command Tinubu to step down or demand that he doesn't dollarise the general election?

Walai:
My brother if our mumu never do after all we have passed through in APC hand then PO should go and enjoy his life and leave Nigerians.
I repeat, Peter Obi should not give anybody shishi in the name of buying votes.

I thought as much. Emotions. Here's what the latest data says from the ongoing INEC voters registration. Make of it what you will.

AMINDA:
Indeed. I think you all should be worrying about Jonathan, not Atiku. Better tell Wike not to fail in preventing Jonathan from getting the PDP ticket. Atiku will contest the primaries under the ADC. The primaries will be free and fair. If Atiku didn't stand any chance and is inconsequential, you wouldn't be so bothered and worked up about his candidacy. If Atiku wins the primaries, whoever is dissatisfied can go get a free ticket elsewhere or vote Tinubu. All stations settled.

The part in bold is fair enough. If Atiku had said this instead of lying about supporting a younger candidate in a primary election that has already been compromised, this thread won’t be up in the first place. We know Atiku will contest as a perennial candidate and lose as a regular customer. He’s a destined loser and nothing will change about his losing trajectory in 2027.

seunmsg:
The part in bold is fair enough. If Atiku had said this instead of lying about supporting a younger candidate in a primary election that has already been compromised, this thread won’t be up in the first place. We know Atiku will contest as a perennial candidate and lose as a regular customer. He’s a destined loser and nothing will change about his losing trajectory in 2027.

You're much too invested in the Atiku candidacy for someone who believes that Atiku will fail. The thread simply affirms that Atiku will support any candidate, young or old who defeats him at the primaries. He has done so in the past. See you at the polls.

Pekele pekele Arugbo jegbese...

That is because you know you can't win.

And who's that young candidate who can beat you in a free and fair party primary?

How many people did that young candidate bring to the party?

Good,over to Mr Peter Gringory Obi, go and contest with Atiku in ADC

Atiku is a joker for saying this
Sometimes I wonder if these politicians forget what they said or did easily. In 2023 where he refused to step down for southern and younger candidate. He cowed Ayu to do his bidding thereby destroying PDP.

Now he has killed PDP because from time immemorial Atiku is a known political whorre and party killer. ADC must be careful; they should not give him any chance

This man is being used to divide the people's votes. He has no chance of winning.