Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed uncertainty about his participation in the 2027 presidential election.
Despite being a recurring candidate in past elections, Atiku admitted that he is unsure whether he will run again.
Speaking during an interview on Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku acknowledged the need for a strong political platform before making any decision.
He stated, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”
His remarks signal a shift from previous statements by his associates, who had suggested that he remained committed to contesting.
However, Atiku’s recent focus has been on forming a coalition of opposition leaders, aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the next election cycle.
Reflecting on the country’s political landscape, Atiku emphasized the urgent need for experienced leadership.
“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time,” he said.
He recalled the 2014 opposition merger that led to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying, “We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won.”
Atiku also voiced concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, aligning with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s view that governance in the country is deteriorating.
“No doubt about that,” he remarked, describing the situation as “very dire.”
Expressing disappointment in the political class, he lamented the quality of governance at the state level.
“The next generation after me, many of them have been governors, have been senators. Instead of seeing an improvement in the level of governance at the state level, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed,” he stated.
Furthermore, Atiku criticized the National Assembly, particularly for its handling of the state of emergency in Rivers State, and questioned its integrity.
“I am not surprised,” he said, alleging corruption within the legislature.
His recent alliance with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other opposition figures has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the effectiveness of their efforts to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.
