The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has charged the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, to step aside from the 2027 presidential race and support the NDC's candidate, Peter Obi, to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
The NDC's Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made the call in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that such a move would significantly boost the opposition's chances in the upcoming election.
NDC's Call for Atiku to Step Aside
Agada argued that Atiku stepping aside would not damage his legacy but would instead strengthen the opposition's bid to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. He praised Atiku's character and vision while insisting that the time had come for the former vice president to set aside his presidential ambitions for the greater good of the opposition.
“Every electioneering season. AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point,” Agada wrote on X. “His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition. If he steps aside, nothing is going to affect his sterling legacy. AA should support Obi to kick the APC out.”
Atiku's 2027 Declaration
The call comes shortly after Atiku declared that the 2027 presidential election would be the last time he would contest, regardless of the outcome. This statement has fueled speculation about his political future and opened the door for discussions about opposition unity.
Atiku, who has run for president multiple times, has yet to respond publicly to the NDC's charge. However, political observers note that his declaration about 2027 being his final contest could make him more amenable to stepping aside in favor of a younger candidate.
Implications for the Opposition
If Atiku were to step aside and back Obi, it would consolidate the opposition vote and create a stronger challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The NDC's call highlights the ongoing efforts to build a united front against the current administration.
The 2027 presidential election is shaping up to be a critical contest, with opposition parties exploring alliances to unseat President Tinubu. The NDC's statement adds to the growing pressure on Atiku to make a strategic decision that could reshape the political landscape.
