2027: We Won’t Follow Atiku’s Route – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has said it will not follow the path of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that its campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election will focus on issues rather than personal exchanges.

The council made the declaration while reacting to public concerns over what it described as Atiku’s indiscretion and disregard for the office of President Bola Tinubu, following the former vice president’s decision to address the President by his first name, “Bola”.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, said the council had followed the public reactions to the incident.

Alake said a higher standard of decorum, decency and deference to constituted authorities was expected from a former vice president and an aspirant to the highest office in the country.

He expressed concern that Atiku, whom the statement identified as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had fallen short of those expectations by addressing the President as “Bola”.

According to Alake, Atiku had allowed political animosity and what he described as uncontrollable ambition to undermine the statesmanship expected of him since losing the last presidential election.

He said Atiku had failed to set a positive example of political conduct for younger generations of political actors.

However, the APC campaign council said it had urged its party leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to continue to accord Atiku the respect, courtesies and regard due to him as a former vice president and presidential candidate.

Alake said the party would not reciprocate what it considered disrespect towards the office of the President by adopting a similar approach in its dealings with the opposition figure.

“As a party grounded in progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect, our campaign council will not follow Alhaji Atiku’s path,” he said.
The council maintained that its campaign would concentrate on issues of importance to Nigerians rather than personal attacks or exchanges with political opponents.

According to the statement, the APC intends to sell its programmes, highlight Tinubu’s achievements in office and explain how the administration is working to move Nigeria from economic reforms to prosperity.

Alake said the campaign would focus on presenting the administration’s record as Tinubu seeks a second-term mandate from Nigerians in 2027.

The council also urged its members and supporters to maintain respect for political opponents, notwithstanding disagreements over their conduct or public statements.