Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, says he will contest Nigeria’s presidency again in 2027.
Abubakar spoke through Tunde Olusunle, his long-time associate and spokesperson during the 2023 elections.
He revealed this to ThisDay on Sunday, stating that he remained committed to leading efforts to rescue Nigeria from “a worsening national decline”.
The former vice president declaration came amid speculations that he may not join the race again.
This followed a comment by Ola Olateju, a lecturer at Achievers University that Abubakar was now more focused on contributing to Nigeria’s development outside the presidency.
However, reacting to the comment from his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the former vice-president dismissed the remarks.
Abubakar noted that he did not authorise the remarks.
“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject. In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distil my thoughts. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me,” he said.
The former vice-president emphasised that his presidential ambition remained intact.
Abubakar also reassured his supporters and political allies that the opposition coalition on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains strong and would surprise critics in the next elections.
“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.
He criticised “unprecedented theft” under the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration and vowed that the opposition would mobilise Nigerians to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
“The degeneration… is unacceptable. Our coalition will shock the world in the 2027 presidential election despite attempts by the APC to ridicule it,” he said.
Abubakar maintained that his drive for leadership stems from a commitment to national rescue, not personal ambition.
