A fresh political storm erupted on Thursday after the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress dismissed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, describing the opposition coalition behind him as a gathering driven by grievances rather than ideas.
Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who polled 504,117 and 177,120 votes respectively during the party’s presidential primary.
The exercise, however, sparked controversy after Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the process, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the voting across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Both men subsequently boycotted the collation and announcement of results.
Reacting to the development, the Presidency insisted that Atiku’s candidacy posed no serious threat to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that Nigerians would judge the next election based on performance rather than political realignments.
The controversy also reopened debates over Nigeria’s unofficial North-South power rotation arrangement, a long-standing political principle that has shaped presidential politics since 1999 despite not being formally enshrined in the Constitution.
Critics within the opposition warned that Atiku’s emergence could deepen regional tensions and further fragment opposition parties already struggling with internal crises and competing ambitions ahead of 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the Presidency, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described Atiku’s candidacy as predictable and politically unthreatening.
“He has been chasing this presidential ambition since 1992. He is a veteran of the presidential contest, but he doesn’t pose any threat to President Tinubu’s election,” Ajayi said.
He argued that the coalition backing Atiku lacked ideology and was built mainly around aggrieved politicians dissatisfied with the current administration.
“Their coalition was not built around any higher purpose or manifesto for national development. It is driven by people who feel they should remain at the centre of power,” he added.
Ajayi also pointed to the withdrawal of key opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the coalition, insisting that the opposition alliance had already weakened before the primary.
He further dismissed comparisons between Atiku’s political journey and that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Buhari succeeded in 2015 because the opposition united under one platform, a condition he claimed no longer exists.
The ruling APC also criticised Atiku’s emergence, describing it as evidence of inconsistency and desperation.
APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said Nigerians would focus on the performance of the Tinubu administration rather than opposition coalitions.
“Nigerians are going to evaluate the Renewed Hope Agenda and not allow sentiment to influence their decision. Atiku’s emergence reflects inconsistency and failure to stand by agreements,” Ibrahim said.
Opposition parties also reacted sharply to Atiku’s renewed presidential ambition.
The Social Democratic Party reaffirmed its support for power rotation, stressing that its presidential ticket had been zoned to the South in line with internal party arrangements.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said zoning remains important for fairness and national stability.
Similarly, the Labour Party criticised Atiku’s ambition, describing it as politically insensitive given current national sentiments around power rotation.
Labour Party spokesman, Ken Asogwa, argued that morality and political sensitivity should guide leadership ambitions in a fragile federation like Nigeria.
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The Labour Party also questioned the credibility of the ADC following allegations of irregularities surrounding its presidential primary.
Meanwhile, Atiku’s camp dismissed attempts by the Presidency to downplay his emergence, insisting that the ruling party was clearly nervous about the growing opposition coalition.
Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Nigerians were frustrated by worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment under the current administration.
“The Presidency may pretend not to see the gathering storm, but Nigerians know the country cannot continue on this path,” Shaibu said.
He argued that the coalition was driven not by personal grievances but by the collective frustration of ordinary Nigerians struggling with rising costs of living and insecurity.
Shaibu also clarified Atiku’s recent visit to Amaechi’s Abuja residence shortly after the primary, describing it as part of reconciliation efforts within the ADC.
According to him, the meeting focused on national issues, party unity, and the broader mission of rebuilding Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers have since described the visit as an early move by Atiku to consolidate support within the ADC as the battle for the 2027 presidency gradually begins to take shape.
