2027 Election Will Pit Tinubu, APC, Against People – Atiku

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has said the 2027 presidential election would not be a contest between political parties, but a direct face-off between President Bola Tinubu, the APC and the Nigerian people.

Atiku in a statement by his campaign office yesterday  made the remarks while reacting to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa State, describing political realignments as a familiar feature of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said every politician has the right to choose their path, including his own children.

According to Atiku, any individual, his son included, who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is choosing patriotism over personal gains.

Atiku dismissed the recent wave of defections by opposition governors as evidence not of APC’s popularity but of what he described as an atmosphere of intimidation. He accused the Tinubu administration of weaponising state institutions in a bid to bully opponents and tilt the country towards a one-party system.

“This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” he said.

He argued that no amount of political coercion can hide the reality Nigerians face daily, rising hunger, deeper poverty, worsening insecurity, and soaring unemployment which he blamed on failed economic policies.

“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival. What Will APC campaign on-hunger, hardship, hopelessness?”

Atiku urged Nigerians not to mistake defections for public support, adding that the APC has no tangible achievements to campaign on.

He warned citizens against selling their votes, reminding them that power ultimately rests with the electorate.

“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say ,  and their will shall prevail,” he said.