Atiku pledges to step aside in 2027 if ADC presents younger, dynamic candidate

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared his willingness to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if his political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), fields a younger, dynamic, and widely acceptable candidate.

Atiku made the pledge during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, as Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary.

He noted that his ambition should not discourage Nigerian youths from aspiring to lead the country, emphasizing that he would offer his full support and mentorship to any credible young aspirant capable of steering Nigeria toward recovery.

“If the ADC can present a young, vibrant and acceptable candidate for the 2027 election, I am willing to step down for such an individual,” Atiku said.

The former PDP presidential candidate, who contested the 2023 elections, dismissed claims of desperation to become president, stressing that his motivation remains rescuing Nigeria from misrule.

He explained that his decision to align with the ADC was borne out of frustrations within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, he alleged, was weakened by internal sabotage orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“At PDP, we could not achieve that because the APC government in power used some leaders of the party to frustrate efforts at building a strong opposition. As time went on, the crisis worsened, and hopes of resolution faded,” Atiku said.

He lamented that key PDP officials pursued personal interests rather than party unity, leaving him sidelined in efforts to reposition the opposition.

Turning to the ADC, Atiku said the focus now is on strengthening the party’s structures across the country. “We have established the national leadership of the party, and they are working to ensure the state and local government structures are in place and ready for the 2027 elections,” he stated.

Atiku, who has contested for Nigeria’s presidency multiple times, underscored that Nigeria’s future lies in the hands of younger leaders willing to embrace service above personal ambition.