Atiku declares 2027 presidential bid, vows to ‘reconstruct traumatised homeland’

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed that he will contest the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku’s declaration was made known on Sunday by his former media aide, Tunde Olusunle, who worked with him during the 2023 elections.

The statement followed remarks by Ola Olateju, a professor at Achievers University, who claimed Atiku was more focused on national development than on seeking office.

Atiku, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates, disowned Olateju’s comments, insisting the professor was not authorised to speak on his behalf.

“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject and what my contribution or intervention will be, so we are on the same page,” he explained.

“In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distill my thoughts. Prof Olateju was not speaking for me.”

The ex-vice president stressed that his decision to run was driven by the need to salvage Nigeria.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned [to]. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable.

“The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery, the absolute lack of accountability, must disturb every concerned patriot.

“I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland,” he said.

Atiku also expressed confidence that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, of which he is a member, would reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

“ADC is leading a potent mass movement which will shock the world. We will upstage the status quo in a way which will leave doubters dumbstruck,” he said.