Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no presidential aspirant contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress will be compelled to step down ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that all qualified contenders will be allowed to participate freely in the party’s primaries.
Atiku made the declaration in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, amid growing speculation that he was under pressure to withdraw from the race in favour of a Southern candidate ahead of the presidential election.
He called on Nigerians to resist what he described as deliberate attempts by the All Progressives Congress to intimidate and weaken opposition parties, warning that such actions pose a threat to democratic pluralism.
The former Vice President said the ADC had adopted an open, transparent and competitive process for selecting its presidential flagbearer, stressing that no individual or external force would dictate the outcome.
According to him, “When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu, whose leadership has become a national liability.”
Atiku accused the Tinubu-led administration of inflicting severe hardship on Nigerians through what he described as harsh economic policies and a shrinking democratic space since assuming office.
“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history, an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
He further alleged that the Federal Government was pursuing a calculated effort to weaken opposition parties in order to entrench what he described as a creeping one-party state.
“Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing achievement has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the APC standing alone by default, not by merit,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President noted that concerns over the direction of the country had prompted opposition figures to rally around the ADC as a viable national alternative.
He said, “Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress as the nucleus of a credible national alternative.”
Atiku also accused individuals aligned with the Presidency of attempting to destabilise the ADC by interfering in its internal affairs, particularly regarding the choice of its presidential candidate.
“Agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside, issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, especially the choice of a presidential candidate,” he stated.
He maintained that the party would not tolerate intimidation, blackmail or sabotage from external actors, adding that the ADC was currently focused on strengthening its structures at the ward, local government and state levels nationwide.
“At present, the ADC is focused on building strong ward, local government and state structures nationwide. Disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference,” the statement added.
Atiku also referenced the recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Enugu, describing it as a development that had unsettled the ruling party.
He said the move triggered open boasts by some serving ministers and presidential aides who allegedly expressed plans to undermine the ADC.
“Their fear is evident,” Atiku said, adding that the party remained committed to what he described as a national rescue mission.
He concluded by stressing that the ADC would continue to welcome genuine opposition figures and remain steadfast in its resolve to end what he termed the misfortune imposed on the country by the Tinubu-led APC administration.
“No amount of intimidation, intrigue or sabotage will derail this rescue mission. Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight,” the statement said.
