APC To Atiku: Quit 2027 Race, Join Forces With Tinubu

The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and join forces with President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the North has demonstrated its preference for the incumbent.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Sani Haruna, made the call during a press briefing in Kaduna, where he described the large crowd that welcomed Tinubu during his visit to Kaduna as evidence of support for the president in northern Nigeria.

Haruna argued that Atiku could no longer rely on northern votes as the basis of his presidential ambition, insisting that the turnout at the campaign flag-off had demonstrated the region’s support for Tinubu.

He urged the former vice-president to support Tinubu in the interest of national unity, recalling what he described as the president’s past support for Atiku’s presidential ambition.

“It is on record that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a favour to Atiku Abubakar by giving him a platform in 2011 to contest for the presidency of Nigeria,” Haruna said.

He said Atiku should reciprocate the gesture by supporting Tinubu rather than pursuing another presidential bid.

“There is no better time to align with Mr President and to show his patriotism for Nigeria than now, to work for the greater interest of Nigeria,” he added.

Haruna also urged Atiku, who is approaching 80, to withdraw from the race, arguing that the former vice-president’s continued presidential ambition would expose him to further embarrassment.

He maintained that the Kaduna rally had challenged the opposition’s expectation of securing substantial support from the North, which he described as a key part of Atiku’s anticipated electoral base.

The APC spokesman accused Atiku and other opposition figures of relying on religious, ethnic and cultural sentiments to attract northern voters rather than demonstrating their contributions to the region’s development.

Haruna also dismissed claims circulating on social media that some videos of the crowd at Tinubu’s campaign flag-off in Kaduna were AI-generated and that supporters had been paid to attend the event.

Responding to journalists’ questions, he claimed that more than one million people turned out to welcome the president. However, he did not provide independently verifiable figures to substantiate the estimate.

He said supporters arrived early and waited for hours to gain access to the venue, describing their presence as a genuine expression of support for Tinubu.

“People slept over. People queued as early as 4am to gain access to the stadium. You cannot buy that sentiment,” he said.

He commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for organising the rally, particularly for the venue arrangements and the mobilisation of supporters.