I Believe 2027 Will Be My Last Presidential Run – Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that contesting the 2027 presidential election will be his final attempt at Nigeria’s highest office, saying the stakes were significantly higher as he prepared for what would be his eighth run.

Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Prime Time Special on ARISE News Channel on Wednesday evening, where he reflected on his decades-long political journey and his long-time ambition to lead Nigeria.

When asked about his age against the backdrop of 8th attempt and whether the 2027 race would be his final shot at the presidency or not, Atiku said: “Certainly yes. Because the stakes are higher, because I believe that will be my last outing. So that’s incontrovertible.”

The African Democratic Congress(ADC) chieftain, who has contested presidential elections across multiple political platforms over the years, including the PDP, AC and now the ADC, defended his continued relevance in Nigeria’s political space, insisting that experience remains critical to leadership.

“I represent both the past and the future,” Atiku said. “We have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them. And I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership is below what we thought. They require experience and they require tutelage from the older generation.”

Atiku, who served as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, argued that his time in office provided him with invaluable lessons that shaped his political outlook.

“There was a lot I learned. I don’t think I could have learned what I learned being vice president outside that system,” he said.

Responding to concerns that he represents Nigeria’s entrenched political establishment, the former vice president maintained that governance failures in the country were more systemic than generational, pointing to what he described as weak leadership structures in several states.

“We have had so many young governors in a number of states who have failed woefully when it comes to governance challenges,” he said, adding that inexperienced leadership without strong mentorship at the centre has contributed to governance deficits.

Atiku also said he was committed to backing whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of ADC ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that unity among opposition figures remained key to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

He dismissed suggestions that the contest for the coalition’s ticket would be defined by personal ambition, noting that the process would prioritise consensus among stakeholders.

Asked whether he will be willing to step aside from the race, Atiku said: “It’s not the issue of stepping aside, but would I support our coalition? The first option would be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t work, then we go for direct emergence. Of course, I would support anybody who emerges,” he said.

The ADC chieftain explained that the coalition had already outlined a clear pathway for selecting its flagbearer, beginning with consensus-building and, where necessary, proceeding to a democratic contest.

“We will aim for consensus. If we do not get it, then we will go for elections,” he added.

Atiku further expressed confidence that the process would not degenerate into internal conflict, citing the calibre and experience of those involved in the coalition.

“I don’t expect we would get to the level of disputes because we are dealing with mature politicians and experienced politicians as well,” he said.

He emphasised that members of the coalition were united by a shared objective to strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.

“We have all agreed that this is the way to save democracy in this country,” Atiku stated.