Politics

2027: Atiku Insists No ADC Aspirant Will Step Down, Says Tinubu Should Quit Race

Published

3 months ago

January 7, 2026

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku Insists No ADC Aspirant Will Step Down, Says Tinubu Should Quit Race

ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed speculation surrounding the 2027 presidential election, declaring that no aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will be pressured to withdraw from the race.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said all qualified contenders within the ADC presidential race are free to pursue their ambitions without intimidation, insisting that democracy thrives on competition, not coercion.

The clarification comes amid growing speculation that Atiku is being urged to step aside for a Southern presidential candidate as the ADC positions itself to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Rejecting the calls, Atiku argued that the individual who should step aside is President Tinubu, whom he described as a burden on the nation.

“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history, marked by punishing economic policies and a shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.

Atiku accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of deliberately weakening opposition parties and pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state through intimidation and misuse of state power.

“This administration has pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party system,” he said.

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According to Atiku, the systematic erosion of opposition parties has left the APC dominant “by default, not by merit,” despite what he described as the ruling party’s poor performance in governance.

The former Vice President said these developments prompted concerned political leaders to rally around the ADC as a credible national alternative capable of rescuing Nigeria’s democracy.

He further alleged that individuals linked to the Presidency were interfering in the internal affairs of the ADC, particularly regarding the selection of its presidential candidate.

“Agents aligned with the Presidency are attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside by issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal democratic processes,” the statement said.

Atiku stressed that calls for him to withdraw from the race are politically motivated and undermine democratic values.

“Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku Abubakar to step aside is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” he said.

He reaffirmed the ADC’s commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process in choosing its flagbearer, warning that the party would not succumb to intimidation, blackmail, or sabotage.

The statement added that the ADC is currently focused on building strong grassroots structures across wards, local governments, and states nationwide, urging external actors to allow the party to carry out its work without interference.

Atiku also reiterated the party’s openness to opposition figures across the country, noting that inclusiveness, not coercion, remains the foundation of democracy.

He concluded by firmly ruling out any withdrawal from the race.

“When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu, whose leadership has become a national liability,” the statement said.

The former Vice President also referenced recent political developments within the ADC, including heightened reactions from the ruling party following Peter Obi’s public declaration of membership of the ADC in Enugu, which he said exposed the ruling party’s growing fear of the opposition.

2027: Atiku Insists No ADC Aspirant Will Step Down, Says Tinubu Should Quit Race

Related Topics:ADC Atiku Featured Tinubu

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Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Published

53 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has officially resigned from his ministerial position to focus on his bid for the Oyo State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation, dated March 26, 2026, was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political appointees intending to contest elective offices to vacate their posts before party primaries.

In a resignation letter, Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Tinubu administration, stating, “It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector under your Renewed Hope Agenda. My decision to resign is to enable me to fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State and dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”

The minister’s exit follows a government directive issued via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which required political appointees to resign by March 31, 2026, if they intended to contest elective offices in the 2027 elections. Other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) and Yusuf Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs), have also resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in Bauchi and Kebbi States, respectively.

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Adelabu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has previously contested the Oyo governorship under the APC in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. His resignation signals renewed focus on securing his party’s ticket and intensifying the Oyo State political race ahead of the 2027 elections.

His tenure as Power Minister coincided with public scrutiny over persistent electricity outages, which he addressed in a press conference, issuing a public apology to Nigerians. He acknowledged that erratic power supply had affected households, businesses, and industries, especially amid rising temperatures, and pledged to improve the situation before leaving office. During his term, Adelabu also oversaw key sector reforms, including a N501 billion bond issuance aimed at resolving long-standing liquidity issues in Nigeria’s electricity market.

As of his resignation, the federal government has not announced a replacement for the Ministry of Power, leaving a crucial cabinet role vacant ahead of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects. Political analysts say Adelabu’s departure is likely to reshape both the federal cabinet and the Oyo governorship contest, as party stakeholders prepare for the primaries and eventual general election.

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Politics

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Published

2 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.

Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.

Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.

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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.

According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.

In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.

She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.

Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.

She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Politics

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

Published

7 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC

The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.

Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.

According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.

Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.

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“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.

He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.

The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.

Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.

Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC