2027 Presidency: Atiku Vows To Step Down If Defeated by Young Aspirant in ADC

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said he will step aside from the 2027 presidential race if a younger aspirant defeats him at the primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku made the declaration in an interview with BBC Hausa, where he also promised to throw his weight behind and mentor such a candidate.

The 78-year-old politician, who has contested Nigeria’s top seat six times, clarified that he has yet to decide if he will run again in 2027.

“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” Atiku said when asked directly about his ambitions.

“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,” he added.

Two other figures—Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State governor—are believed to be eyeing the ADC ticket, both younger than Atiku.

Atiku, who quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July, said he was pushed out by internal sabotage. According to him, moles from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) infiltrated PDP to destabilise it.

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“Besides, that is one of the reasons we set up ADC, which I am a member of,” he explained.

He alleged that the APC government used certain PDP leaders to frustrate the opposition.
“As the day went by, the crises in PDP were growing, and the hope of resolving it was speedily vanishing,” he said. “The government was allegedly using some senior members of the party to destabilise it further, and we could see that in their actions and utterances.”

Atiku said his influence within the PDP had waned because those occupying critical leadership positions, such as chairman and secretary, pursued personal agendas.
“I could have taken some firm decisions to fix the party if I were the chairman or secretary of the party, or someone who listened to me was the chairman or secretary,” he lamented.

ADC’s Focus on 2027

On the ADC’s plans, Atiku said the immediate task was to consolidate its structures across the country.

“Regarding the ADC, our goal is to establish the party structures at the state level. We have already established the national leadership, and they are working on ensuring the state and local government structures are strengthened and ready for the 2027 elections,” he said.

Atiku was the PDP’s standard-bearer in the 2023 elections. If he decides to run again in 2027, he will be 81 years old.

He has contested for the presidency six times and has appeared on the ballot as a candidate three times—2007, 2019, and 2023—without success.

Despite repeated defeats, Atiku remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent politicians.