A senior official of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has publicly called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support the party's candidate, Peter Obi. Theo Abu Agada, the NDC's director of new media and strategic communications, made the appeal in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Agada's Call for Atiku to Step Aside
In his post, Agada praised Atiku's character and vision but argued that the time had come for him to step away from presidential ambitions in the interest of a united opposition. "AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point," Agada wrote. "His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant, but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition."
Agada emphasised that withdrawing from the race would not damage Atiku's public standing or political record. "If he steps aside, nothing is going to affect his sterling legacy," he added. "AA should support Obi to kick the APC out." The post opened with the phrase "Every electioneering season," which appeared to express frustration over the opposition's repeated failure to unite behind a single candidate ahead of major elections.
Peter Obi's Position as NDC Candidate
Peter Obi joined the NDC after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on May 2, 2026. He was ratified as the party's presidential candidate on May 29, 2026, positioning himself as a key opposition figure ahead of the 2027 general elections. Agada's comments reflect growing pressure within opposition circles for prominent figures to consolidate rather than split the anti-All Progressives Congress (APC) vote across multiple candidates.
Agada's tweet included a video of Atiku stating that he would not contest again if he loses the 2027 presidential election, further underscoring the call for a unified opposition strategy.
Broader Opposition Dynamics
Earlier, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano state, publicly explained his decision to align with former Anambra Governor Obi on a joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. In a statement posted on his official X page, Kwankwaso said the partnership was driven entirely by the state of the country, rather than personal or sectional interests. This development highlights ongoing efforts among opposition figures to coordinate against the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
