Ex-VP accuses APC of trying to weaken opposition, pledges transparent selection process
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has stated that no aspirant will step aside for another in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, dismissing rumours that he faces pressure to make way for a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made on Tuesday through a statement by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, as Atiku accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate and destabilize opposition forces.
Atiku said the ADC has become a rallying point for opposition leaders seeking a credible national alternative to the ruling party, emphasizing that all qualified aspirants will have the freedom to participate when the party begins its candidate selection process.
“Predictably, agents aligned with the presidency are now attempting to destabilize the ADC from the outside, issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate,” the former VP said.
He added, “Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. I, alongside other committed patriots, am central to this effort. Any call overt or covert for me to ‘step aside’ is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.”
Atiku reiterated that the ADC is committed to “an open, transparent, and competitive process” for selecting its flagbearer, highlighting the party’s dedication to internal democracy.
The former Vice-President also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as a growing national liability. He said Nigerians have endured harsh economic policies, shrinking democratic space, and systematic weakening of opposition parties under the current government.
“For nearly three years, Nigerians have faced widespread hardship, and the administration has pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state,” Atiku said.
He commended patriotic leaders who rallied around the ADC, calling it the nucleus of a credible national alternative, and reaffirmed his commitment to resisting what he described as the APC’s attempt to monopolize political power.
