ABUJA, NG — July 9, 2025 | IDNN Politics Desk
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed widespread claims that he intends to step down for a southern presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the reports as “malicious fiction” orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a strongly worded statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday, Atiku denied ever attending a meeting where such a request was made or considered.
“There was no such meeting. Atiku Abubakar was never in attendance. The entire story is a malicious fabrication — pure fiction cooked up in the propaganda kitchens of the Tinubu-led APC regime,” the statement read.
Atiku’s remarks follow the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the political platform of the growing opposition coalition — a move seen as a direct threat to APC’s re-election bid.
Propaganda or Panic?
Atiku’s camp believes the fake story was intentionally planted to create rifts within the emerging opposition alliance, which features political heavyweights such as Peter Obi, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai.
“This is nothing but a diversionary tactic — an attempt by a faltering administration to sow discord within the opposition and derail the momentum gained by the successful unveiling of the ADC,” the media office said.
The opposition, it added, is more united than ever and committed to fielding a formidable joint ticket to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.
The Battle for Public Perception
Atiku’s team urged both citizens and the media to disregard any claims not backed by credible sources or identifiable authors, calling the report a “faceless brief” meant to ignite suspicion.
“We want to remind the ruling party that Nigerians have already embraced the ADC as the most credible and viable opposition platform ahead of 2027,” the statement added.
Atiku’s strategists noted that the surging support for the coalition reflects widespread dissatisfaction with APC governance and underscores the urgency of political realignment.
2027: The Opposition’s High-Stakes Gamble
The 2027 race is already shaping up as a fierce contest between the APC establishment and a broad opposition front anchored by the ADC. While power-sharing talks are ongoing, leaders like Atiku are playing it close to the chest to maintain leverage and party cohesion.
Political analysts suggest that while Atiku may not yet have publicly declared his ambition, the denial signals a clear intent to remain influential within the opposition structure.
“Atiku may not be the consensus candidate yet, but he certainly won’t be sidelined through misinformation,” one senior opposition source
told IDNN.
