Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has officially announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made his position known through his longtime associate and spokesperson during the 2023 elections, Tunde Olusunle, affirming his commitment to leading efforts to rescue Nigeria from what he described as a deepening national crisis under the current government.
The declaration comes amid speculation that Atiku might not seek the presidency again, fueled by comments attributed to Prof. Ola Olateju of Achievers University suggesting that Atiku was now focusing on contributing to Nigeria’s development outside the presidency.
Speaking from his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates, Atiku promptly dismissed these remarks as unauthorized.
“When people stand in for me at events, they share my views on the subject at hand. However, in this case, there was no consultation with me to represent my thoughts. Prof. Olateju was not speaking on my behalf,” Atiku stated.
“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs urgent rescue from the intensive care unit it has been placed in. The degeneration, poverty, pain, and anguish in our country are unacceptable,” he declared.
Atiku also reassured his supporters and political allies that the opposition coalition under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains strong and will surprise critics in the upcoming election.
“The deceit, loss of values, widespread corruption, and complete lack of accountability must alarm every concerned patriot. I am offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised nation,” Olusunle quoted Atiku as saying after their discussion.
