CITIZENS COMPASS—Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, expressed regrets that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not achieve their goals with the party as the APC-led government have brainwashed some leaders of the party to frustrate efforts at building a strong opposition.
Atiku assured his followers that he would step down from the 2027 presidential race provided a vibrant and younger candidate emerges as from the
African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku said the candidate must be nationally acceptable by Nigerians.
He disclosed this in a BBC Hausa interview while speaking on Nigeria at 65.
Atiku said his mission is not driven by desperation for power but by a renewed determination to “rescue Nigeria from those who have held it hostage.”
“If a younger, vibrant and acceptable candidate emerges, I will gladly step down for him,” Atiku said of his condition to exit from the 2027 presidential race.
Continuing, he said: “My being in the race doesn’t stop anyone. In fact, I encourage the youths to contest and rescue Nigeria. I will give them all the support and guidance they need,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President also shed light on his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of infiltrating and destabilizing the opposition through compromised PDP leaders.
“That is one of the reasons we set up the ADC. We couldn’t achieve our goals with the PDP because the APC government in power used some leaders of the party to frustrate efforts at building a strong opposition.
“As the crisis worsened, hopes of resolving it faded because some senior members were being used to further destabilize the party,” Atiku said.
He expressed regret that he couldn’t intervene more decisively because the PDP’s current leadership — particularly the Chairman and Secretary — were “not responsive and had personal interests.”
In contrast, he said the ADC is now building state and local government structures ahead of the 2027 polls, with a focus on inclusivity and internal democracy.
“We have already established the national leadership. They are working to ensure state and local government structures are strengthened and ready for the 2027 elections.
“Nigeria has not become the nation our heroes dreamed of. The government must rise to the occasion, though Nigerians have lost hope in the ability of the president to fix the country politically, economically, and otherwise,” he said.
—-GWG
