Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that no aspirant seeking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election will be forced to withdraw from the race.
Atiku made the position known in a statement released on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, against the backdrop of speculation that he was being pressured to step aside in favour of a Southern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
He called on Nigerians to resist what he described as attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate and weaken opposition parties, stressing that the ADC would adopt an open and competitive process in selecting its presidential candidate.
The former Vice President argued that the focus should instead be on the performance of the current administration, insisting that President Tinubu, not opposition figures, should consider stepping aside.
“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the most difficult periods in recent memory, marked by severe economic policies and a narrowing democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of deliberately working to undermine opposition parties, warning that the trend was gradually pushing the country toward a de facto one-party system.
He said political leaders who recognised the danger early rallied around the ADC as a viable national alternative, but alleged that individuals linked to the Presidency were now attempting to destabilise the party, particularly over the issue of its presidential ticket.
According to him, the ADC represents a national rescue platform and should not be distracted by internal or external pressure aimed at weakening its resolve.
Reiterating the party’s position, Atiku said the ADC remained committed to transparency and internal democracy, adding that intimidation or interference would not be allowed to derail its plans.
He noted that the party was currently focused on strengthening its structures at the ward, local government and state levels nationwide, while cautioning against acts of disruption or infiltration.
Atiku also referred to the recent decision by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join the ADC in Enugu, describing the move as one that had heightened anxiety within the ruling party.
He maintained that when the time comes, all qualified aspirants would be free to contest for the ticket, insisting that no one would be compelled to step down.
“If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu, whose leadership has become a national liability,” the statement concluded.
