Atiku in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, reacted to growing speculation that he is under pressure to relinquish his ambition in favour of a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has firmly ruled out stepping down from the race for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, accusing President Bola Tinubu of engineering a deliberate plot to weaken the opposition and entrench a creeping one-party state.
Atiku in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, reacted to growing speculation that he is under pressure to relinquish his ambition in favour of a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former Vice President called on Nigerians to resist what he said were sustained efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate, infiltrate, and destabilise the emerging opposition coalition rallying around the ADC.
His comments come days after former Anambra State governor and ex–Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, formally joined the ADC, further fuelling realignments within the opposition.
There have also been reports that Atiku may be exploring a joint ticket arrangement with former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a bid to clinch the ADC presidential ticket.
However, Atiku dismissed any suggestion that he should step aside, insisting that such calls serve the interests of President Tinubu rather than the Nigerian people.
“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history, an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Atiku said.
He accused the Tinubu administration of misgovernance and described it as a growing national liability, alleging that the Presidency was intentionally undermining opposition parties to secure an easy path to re-election.
“True to form, this administration has not only inflicted widespread hardship but has pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state,” he stated.
Atiku further claimed that the systematic weakening of opposition parties was Tinubu’s most disturbing achievement, arguing that the APC now stands dominant “by default, not by merit.”
According to him, patriotic leaders recognised the danger early and rallied around the ADC as a credible national alternative, a move he said has now triggered panic within the Presidency.
“Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing achievement has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress—despite its manifest failures—standing alone by default, not by merit. Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress as the nucleus of a credible national alternative.
“Predictably, agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside, issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate,” he said.
Declaring that the ADC is on a “national rescue mission,” Atiku insisted that he remains central to that effort and warned that any attempt to force him out would amount to a betrayal of democracy.
"Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to step aside is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people."
He stressed that the ADC is committed to an open, transparent, and competitive process in selecting its flagbearer, adding that no intimidation, manipulation, or sabotage would be allowed to derail the party’s plans.
“At present, the ADC is focused on building strong ward, local government, and state structures nationwide. Disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference.
"The party remains open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures. This inclusiveness—not coercion—is the soul of democracy. When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability," he said.
Atiku also pointed to Peter Obi’s recent public declaration of ADC membership in Enugu, describing it as a development that exposed the ruling party’s fear of a united opposition.
He alleged that the move triggered “open boasts by a serving minister and presidential aides” about plans to undermine the ADC.
“The recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, the political heartbeat of the Southeast, triggered open boasts by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the party. Their fear is evident.
"Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission. Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight," he added.
Reiterating his refusal to step down, Atiku concluded that if anyone should bow out of the 2027 race, it should be President Tinubu.