Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has clarified that the emerging opposition coalition, led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy rather than serving as a platform for individual political figures like himself, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, or Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja on July 28, Atiku emphasized that the coalition’s primary goal is to counter what he describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s creeping authoritarianism and manipulation of the electoral process.
“This is not an anti-Tinubu project; it is a pro-Nigerian movement. Nigerians must be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” Atiku stated, addressing speculations about a looming battle for the coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket among prominent political figures.
Atiku also raised concerns about the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, alleging that the ruling party is laying the groundwork for electoral manipulation.
He pointed to the controversial appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official, who previously headed its Information Technology (IT) Department, as the APC’s national chairman.
“The appointment of a former REC of INEC as the APC national chairman is deeply troubling. This isn’t just any ordinary REC; this is someone who held a strategic position,” Atiku said, suggesting that the move signals intent to undermine the electoral process.
In a related development, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) announced that it has disowned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and imposed a 30-year ban on him for not registering with the SDP while involving the party in the coalition.
The SDP’s decision underscores internal tensions within the opposition as it seeks to unify against the APC.
Atiku’s remarks highlight the coalition’s broader mission to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy, which he claims is under threat from the ruling party’s actions.
“This move clearly indicates that the ruling party is not interested in winning elections through due process or on the strength of their performance during their first mandate. Instead, they are laying the groundwork to rig the upcoming election,” he said.
Atiku stressed the need for unity among opposition parties and leaders, warning that “any internal divisions would benefit those who intend on clinging to power, those who oppose us, those who wish to maintain the status quo, seek to exploit any cracks within our ranks, turning them into craters. We cannot afford this. Unity is our strength; when we stand together, it becomes difficult for anyone to sow seeds of discord,” he said.
“This is not about individual leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, or others within the coalition. It is about the well-being and future of Nigeria. It is about enabling Nigerians to recover and rebuild their nation. This is the essence of our project, and we must remind ourselves of it daily as we work together.
“Our mission is about enabling Nigerians to recover and rebuild their nation. It’s crucial to keep these goals in mind and avoid the mistake of counting our chickens before they are hatched,” he warned.
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