2027 ELECTION BATTLE LINES: Obi’s Camp Fires Back as Atiku Declares He Won’t Step Aside for Any Aspirant

The political temperature ahead of the 2027 general elections is already rising as two heavyweight figures — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi — appear set for a possible showdown.

Atiku, now aligned with the newly unveiled African Democratic Congress (ADC), has ruled out stepping aside for any aspirant in his quest for the party’s presidential ticket. His declaration, made during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, has triggered a flurry of reactions across the political landscape.

But Obi’s camp, through the influential Obidient Movement, was quick to dismiss Atiku’s statement as nothing more than “political mind games.”

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the movement, insisted that Obi remains committed to a politics of ideology and clean values — far removed from the “dollarised delegate bazaar” that has long plagued Nigeria’s electoral process.

> “I’m glad Atiku has spoken his mind; at least we can hold him to account. But Obi will not descend into transactional politics where delegates are bought and sold. It is common knowledge that in Nigeria, primaries have become dollar markets. Obi represents a different political philosophy — one that inspires hope for the younger generation,” Tanko declared.

Atiku, however, struck a conciliatory tone, stating that while he was fully prepared to contest the ADC primaries, he would humbly accept defeat if a younger aspirant emerged victorious.

“This is only the beginning,” the former vice president said. “Our priority is to establish a strong party structure. If I contest and a young man defeats me, I will support him. The ADC prioritises youth and women, and I stand by that.”

When asked whether he could abandon the ADC if the tides turned against him, Atiku was emphatic: “No, I am not known for that. I am a man of one Qibla.”

His media adviser, Paul Ibe, later issued a statement clarifying his principal’s remarks, accusing sections of the media of “mischievous interpretations.” According to him, Atiku never implied he would step down for anyone, but simply reiterated his respect for competitive primaries and his readiness to support whoever emerges.

> “Atiku Abubakar’s position is clear — he will not step aside for any aspirant. However, if the process produces a younger candidate, he will back that person wholeheartedly. This is not about stepping down but about strengthening internal democracy,” Ibe said.

The ADC, launched in July as a coalition platform, is being touted as a formidable alternative bloc designed to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

With Obi’s ideological politics colliding against Atiku’s entrenched experience and the ADC’s ambitions, the stage appears set for a seismic political battle that could redefine Nigeria’s electoral map.