Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is willing to step aside for a younger aspirant if he loses the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, Atiku emphasized that the presidency is not a do-or-die affair. He explained that his immediate focus is on strengthening the ADC and building a united opposition front, rather than making a definite commitment to contest.
“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following. 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.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also dismissed claims that he may be positioning himself between the PDP and the ADC. According to him, he has moved on and has no intention of returning to the PDP.
“No, I’m not known for that. If I say I am going one way, I will go that way,” he insisted, stressing that he will support whoever emerges victorious in the ADC primaries.
Atiku’s Political Shift: From PDP to ADC
Atiku’s latest remarks come after his dramatic exit from the PDP in July 2025, ending decades of membership. In his resignation letter to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, dated July 14, 2025, Atiku cited “irreconcilable differences” and a departure from the party’s founding principles.
“I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” he wrote.
The 78-year-old politician, who has contested multiple presidential elections, is now banking on the ADC as a platform to build a stronger opposition coalition ahead of 2027.
Possible Face-Off with Obi, Amaechi
Atiku is expected to face tough competition for the ADC ticket, with names like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi already being linked to the party’s presidential race.
Meanwhile, political commentator Mahdi Shehu argued that Atiku’s defection highlights a lack of “political survival instincts,” suggesting that leaving the PDP for ADC might weaken his chances.
Nevertheless, Atiku’s bold declaration that he would support a younger aspirant if defeated could reshape the 2027 political landscape, potentially giving youth and fresh voices a stronger foothold in Nigeria’s politics.
