‘I Will Run In 2027’ – Atiku Declares Presidential Ambition

ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027, vowing to rescue Nigeria from what he described as the “intensive care unit” into which it has been pushed under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Atiku, who previously contested the 2023 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition he insists will “shock the world” by upending Nigeria’s political status quo.

The declaration, made public through one of his close aides and former campaign spokesperson Tunde Olusunle, marks Atiku’s clearest statement yet about his 2027 ambitions after months of speculation.

Atiku Sets the Record Straight

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Olusunle quoted his principal as dismissing reports suggesting he might not contest in 2027. According to Atiku, such claims misrepresented his position during a recent ADC defection rally in Lagos.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable,” Atiku was quoted as saying.

The former Vice President emphasized that his new political vehicle, the ADC coalition, is designed to galvanize popular support across Nigeria, transcending ethnic, regional, and party boundaries.

“ADC is leading a potent mass movement which will shock the world. We will upstage the status quo in a way which will leave doubters dumbstruck,” he said.

Clarifying Conflicting Reports

Atiku’s declaration comes days after Prof. Ola Olateju, who represented him at an ADC event in Lagos, suggested that the former Vice President was not desperate to become President.

“Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria. It’s not about being President at all costs,” Olateju was quoted as saying.

However, Atiku has since disowned the remarks, stating they were not authorized by him.

“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the subject so we are on the same page. In this instance, there was no engagement with me. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me,” Atiku clarified.

Criticism of the Tinubu Administration

Atiku did not mince words in his critique of the current administration, accusing it of “mega-scale, unimpeded thievery”, loss of values, and a dangerous lack of accountability.

“The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery and the absolute lack of accountability must disturb every concerned patriot. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland,” he said.

The former Vice President argued that Nigerians are experiencing unprecedented levels of poverty, hardship, and insecurity, adding that the country is in desperate need of reform.

Atiku’s Political Journey

Atiku, 78, is one of Nigeria’s most enduring political figures, having contested the presidency six times without success.

• In 1993, he ran under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but stepped down for Moshood Abiola.

• He later became Vice President (1999–2007) under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

• Since then, he has sought the presidency in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 under various political parties, often emerging as one of the strongest challengers but falling short of victory.

Despite past defeats, Atiku maintains a loyal base of supporters across Nigeria’s northern states and among diaspora communities, who see him as an experienced statesman with the economic expertise to manage Africa’s largest economy.

Reactions and Political Implications

Atiku’s declaration has sparked mixed reactions within Nigeria’s political circles.

• Supporters argue that his experience and persistence position him as the most prepared candidate to take over in 2027.

• Critics dismiss his ambition as unrealistic, pointing to his repeated failures and suggesting Nigeria needs a younger generation of leaders.

• Political analysts believe his move to the ADC signals an attempt to build a “third force” capable of breaking the dominance of the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC has yet to issue an official response, but party insiders say Atiku’s latest ambition underscores the opposition’s lack of fresh leadership options.

Global and Diaspora Perspective

Atiku’s announcement has also reverberated among Nigerians in the diaspora, many of whom remain critical of governance back home. According to World Bank estimates, diaspora remittances to Nigeria stood at over $20 billion in 2023, underscoring their stake in the nation’s stability.

Observers say Atiku’s emphasis on “reclaiming Nigeria” resonates with diaspora communities who contribute financially but are often disillusioned by corruption and insecurity at home.

Globally, Atiku’s declaration also signals to international investors and partners that Nigeria’s political realignments ahead of 2027 could reshape the country’s economic direction.