Presidency Rejects Atiku Abubakar's 2027 Presidential Ambitions

The Nigerian presidency and its spokespeople have dismissed the viability of an opposition coalition led by Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections. During an interview on Arise TV, Atiku described the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the worst he has seen in his lifetime and stated that 2027 would be his final attempt at the presidency. He argued that the South has governed for 18 years compared to the North's 10, questioning the current balance of power rotation.

In response, presidential advisers Daniel Bwala and Bayo Onanuga characterized Atiku's claims as self-serving and dubious. The presidency asserted that President Tinubu will serve a full eight-year tenure, mirroring the term of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Onanuga argued that any discrepancy in power rotation was an accidental breach caused by the 2010 death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and accused Atiku of previously fracturing the Peoples Democratic Party by disregarding zoning formulas in 2023.

Atiku, currently a contender for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket, stated that the coalition would prioritize a consensus candidate to avoid internal conflict. He declared his willingness to step aside and support any winner of a direct primary or a consensus choice, including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, to ensure opposition unity.