Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no aspirant in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will be compelled to step down in the race for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the declaration in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, amid speculation that he was under pressure to withdraw from the race in favour of a Southern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu at the poll.
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He urged Nigerians to resist what he described as efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate and weaken the opposition, insisting that the ADC would conduct an open and competitive process in choosing its flagbearer.
The former Vice President argued that if any aspirant should step aside, it should be President Tinubu, whose leadership he described as a growing national liability.
“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.
According to Atiku, the Tinubu administration has pursued a deliberate strategy to weaken opposition parties, creating what he termed a creeping de facto one-party state.
“Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing achievement has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress—despite its manifest failures—standing alone by default, not by merit,” the statement added.
He said concerned political leaders recognised the danger early and rallied around the ADC as a credible national alternative, but alleged that agents aligned with the Presidency were now seeking to destabilise the party, particularly over the choice of its presidential candidate.
“Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to step aside is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” the statement said.
Reaffirming the party’s stance, Atiku said the ADC remained committed to an open, transparent and competitive process, stressing that no form of intimidation, manipulation or sabotage would derail its mission.
“The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer. APC proxies and external meddlers have no standing to intimidate, blackmail, or sabotage this democratic resolve,” he said.
He added that the party was currently focused on building strong structures at the ward, local government and state levels across the country, warning disruptors and infiltrators to steer clear.
Atiku also referenced the recent declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Enugu, describing the move as having exposed fears within the ruling party.
“When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down,” the statement concluded. “If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability.”