Atiku Says He Will Step Aside If Younger Aspirant Wins ADC Ticket

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he is ready to drop his presidential ambition in 2027 if a younger aspirant defeats him in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary.

Speaking with BBC Hausa, Atiku said he would not only accept such an outcome but also support and mentor the candidate. He, however, stopped short of confirming his own presidential bid, insisting that his focus for now is building the ADC into a strong political force.

“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” he said.

So far, Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer Peter Obi and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi have both shown interest in the ADC ticket. Both men are younger than Atiku.

The former vice-president also explained his recent exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), blaming infiltration by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the crisis rocking the opposition.

He alleged that the APC government used some PDP leaders to frustrate efforts at unity, leaving the party divided and unable to mount a strong challenge ahead of 2027.

“As the day went by, the crises in PDP were growing, and the hope of resolving it was speedily vanishing,” Atiku said, adding that he would have taken firmer steps to fix the party if he had influence over its leadership.

Atiku said the ADC’s current priority is establishing strong structures across the states and local governments to prepare for the next general election.

The 78-year-old politician, who will be 81 by 2027, has run for president six times and appeared on the ballot three times — in 2007, 2019 and 2023.