Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured that no presidential hopeful will be pressured to step down within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
This position was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe.
Atiku urged Nigerians to push back against what he described as attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate and weaken opposition parties.
His remarks come amid speculation that he is under pressure to withdraw in favour of a southern candidate as the ADC’s presidential flagbearer in the 2027 contest against President Bola Tinubu.
According to Atiku, if anyone should step aside, it should be President Tinubu, whose administration he said has increasingly become a burden on the nation.
The statement partly read: “For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the most difficult periods in recent history, marked by harsh economic policies and a shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Consistent with its pattern, this administration has not only imposed widespread hardship but has also embarked on a deliberate campaign to eliminate political alternatives. The goal is unmistakable: the emergence of a de facto one-party state.
“One of the most troubling outcomes of the Tinubu administration has been the systematic erosion of opposition parties, leaving the APC—despite its evident shortcomings—standing by default rather than by merit.
“Fortunately, patriotic leaders recognised this threat early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress as the foundation of a credible national alternative.
“Unsurprisingly, individuals aligned with the Presidency are now seeking to destabilise the ADC from outside, offering reckless suggestions about its internal processes, particularly regarding the selection of a presidential candidate.
“Let it be made clear: the ADC is on a mission of national rescue. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with other dedicated patriots, is integral to this effort. Any call, whether direct or indirect, for Atiku to step aside serves authoritarian interests and betrays the Nigerian people.”