Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has indicated that he will withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if a younger candidate wins the African Democratic Congress (ADC) nomination.
Speaking in a BBC interview, Atiku emphasized his current commitment to strengthening ADC’s national and grassroots structures.
He stated that should a younger aspirant emerge victorious in the party primaries, he would offer support and mentorship rather than challenge the results. Although he has not finalized his decision to run in 2027, Atiku said his primary objective is helping ADC develop and prepare for the upcoming elections.
Reflecting on his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sowing discord within the opposition by placing loyalists inside PDP. This interference, he said, undermined efforts to resolve PDP’s internal conflicts, prompting his move to ADC.
Atiku highlighted that ADC has completed its national leadership setup and is now focused on building robust state and local government structures ahead of 2027. He also pointed out that unlike PDP, ADC is more inclusive by encouraging greater participation of youths and women in its activities.