Abuja — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected claims that he is under pressure to step aside for a southern candidate in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the polls.
“At the appropriate time, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down,” the statement emphasised.
Atiku said the ADC would allow all aspirants to contest openly and transparently once the party begins its presidential selection process, stressing that no individual would be forced to withdraw.
“Predictably, agents aligned with the presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside,” Atiku said, accusing them of interfering in the party’s internal affairs.
The former vice president dismissed speculation that opposition leaders were pushing him to yield to a southern candidate, noting instead that party stakeholders had rallied around the ADC to build a credible national alternative to the APC.
He also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the government’s policies had worsened economic hardship and narrowed political space in the country.
“If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu,” Atiku said.
Atiku concluded by reaffirming the ADC’s commitment to democratic inclusiveness and warning that intimidation or sabotage would not derail the opposition’s plans.
“Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight,” he stated.
Emman Tochi ✔
Emma Tochi is Naija247news Media Northern Bureau Chief, he's based in FCT Abuja. He overseas the northern operations of this business media
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