2027 Election: NDC Tells Atiku to Step Aside, Support Peter Obi to Remove Tinubu

Atiku Abubakar

2027 Election: NDC Tells Atiku to Step Aside, Support Peter Obi to Remove Tinubu

The Director of New Media and Strategic Communications of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Theo Abu Agada, has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support Peter Obi in a united front to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Agada made the appeal in a post on X, where he acknowledged Atiku’s political credentials and described his vision for Nigeria as commendable, but argued that the former Vice President should now prioritise the broader opposition movement over personal ambition. “Every electioneering season. AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point,” Agada wrote. He further stated that although Atiku had a strong vision for the country, the former Vice President should now put aside his presidential ambition in the interest of the opposition. “His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant, but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition,” he said. Agada maintained that an Atiku endorsement of Obi would give the opposition a stronger platform to challenge the APC and President Tinubu in 2027, adding that withdrawing from the contest would not diminish the former Vice President’s political legacy. “If he steps aside, nothing is going to affect his sterling legacy. AA should support Obi to kick the APC out,” the NDC official said.

The call comes shortly after Atiku declared that the 2027 presidential election would be the last election he would contest, regardless of the outcome. The former Vice President made the disclosure during a Facebook Live session, where he stated: “Whether I win or lose, 2027 will be my last time contesting for the presidency.” Atiku has pursued the presidency of Nigeria for decades, serving as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo before making several unsuccessful runs for the top office. He is now set to contest the 2027 election under the ADC after securing the party’s presidential ticket, following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party. During the same Facebook Live session, Atiku also renewed his allegations concerning President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials, claiming that Tinubu’s certificates were forged. “I was the one who raised the issue surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic certificates, and I stand by my position that there was forgery. It is unacceptable for the President of Nigeria to have such questions surrounding his academic credentials,” he said.

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The call for Atiku to step aside comes amid growing concerns that a fragmented opposition could hand President Tinubu a second-term victory in 2027. Political analysts have warned that opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, may be weakening their chances by refusing to join forces. The NDC’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the South earlier cleared the path for Obi and Kwankwaso to clinch the party’s presidential and vice-presidential tickets respectively. Obi joined the NDC after resigning from the ADC on May 2, 2026, and was ratified as the party’s presidential candidate on May 29, 2026. The G100 coalition, a group of eminent Nigerians advocating stronger democratic opposition, has been consulting with opposition leaders, including Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as part of efforts to build a united front ahead of 2027. The coalition held a summit in Abuja on August 18, 2026, to discuss modalities for achieving greater unity among opposition parties.

However, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has poured cold water on the prospect of a unified opposition, maintaining that Atiku and Peter Obi have already lost the 2027 presidential election. Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Fayose said: “In the presidential election, Obi has lost already; Atiku has lost already. Except there is a miracle of them coming together, there is no headway.” Fayose also argued that it is too late for a united front because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already accredited all candidates. “It’s too late for a united front because INEC has accredited everybody. Even if you say that you are not doing it again, you are on your own,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed suggestions that Atiku’s withdrawal would automatically transfer his political support base, particularly in northern Nigeria, to Obi. “If Atiku steps down today, Tinubu wins Northern votes and defeats Obi before 12pm,” he said, arguing that endorsements do not automatically translate into votes. He further accused Obi’s supporters of political blackmail, stating: “If Atiku is not on the ballot, the base won’t shift despite endorsement – stop the blackmail.”

Atiku has previously dismissed calls for zoning arrangements that favour a Southern presidency, arguing that such considerations could undermine the opposition’s chances. Dele Momodu, an ADC chieftain, had earlier endorsed an Atiku-Obi ticket, but Obi reportedly declined alliances with Atiku, insisting on his own popularity and political standing. As the 2027 election approaches, the opposition faces mounting pressure to present a united front. However, with each candidate’s ambitions firmly entrenched and the INEC accreditation process underway, the prospects of a consolidated opposition challenge to President Tinubu’s re-election bid remain uncertain.