The declaration by former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, that he will once again contest Nigeria’s presidency in 2027—describing it as his “last shot”—raises fundamental questions about ambition, credibility, and, more importantly, Nigeria’s unity.
No one disputes Atiku’s long-standing presence in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, longevity in politics is not the same as alignment with the present needs of the nation. At 81 by 2027, the issue is not merely age, but judgment: is this ambition driven by national interest or personal fulfilment?
Nigeria operates an informal but vital principle of rotational leadership. After Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, completed eight years in office, power shifted southward to Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. For many Nigerians, fairness and stability demand that the South completes its turn of eight years before power returns to the North. This is not written in the constitution, but it is deeply embedded in the political psyche of the country.
Against this backdrop, Atiku’s insistence on contesting again appears, at best, tone-deaf and, at worst, dismissive of a delicate national balance. Must he rule Nigeria at all costs?
There is also a deeper issue of trust. Atiku’s political history is replete with party defections and shifting positions. Nigerians will recall that he once described the APC as his “last bus stop,” only to later exit the party. This was highlighted in a 2017 TheCable report referencing his 2014 interview, where he justified his movement across parties in pursuit of his ambition. Today, he asks Nigerians to believe that 2027 will be his final attempt. On what basis?
If history is any guide, many Nigerians are justified in their scepticism. A “serial contestant” promising a final run has, understandably, a credibility gap. What guarantees are there that, if unsuccessful, he will not re-emerge in 2031 with yet another “last shot”?
Even within the emerging opposition coalition, Atiku’s posture raises concerns. Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, in a recent interview, emphasised the importance of credibility and national unity, saying Peter Obi’s statement that he would serve only one term if elected in 2027, thereby completing the South’s slot and returning power to the north in 2031, is anchored on Nigeria’s unity.
That position, whether politically strategic or genuinely altruistic, resonates with Nigerians who prioritise balance and inclusion. Atiku is not thinking along that line at all.
Atiku’s recent comments about Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso further complicate matters. By downplaying Kwankwaso’s influence as being largely confined to Kano state and pointing to divisions involving Abba Kabir Yusuf, Atiku has, perhaps inadvertently, undermined the spirit of coalition-building. In a political environment where unity is the opposition’s strongest weapon against an incumbent, such remarks are counterproductive. Kwankwaso’s supporters in the ADC are piqued by that remark.
Coalitions are not built on condescension; they are built on mutual respect. An elder statesman should unite, not divide.
There are also echoes of past miscalculations. In 2023, Atiku’s refusal to heed calls for a southern candidate under the PDP banner, coupled with his controversial decision not to select Nyesom Wike as his running mate despite Wike finishing second in the primaries, triggered a chain reaction. The fallout led to the G-5 rebellion, with governors like Seyi Makinde openly stating that the PDP would have been far stronger had Wike been chosen. The internal crisis weakened the party significantly, contributing to its poor electoral performance.
In less than four years, the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, is completely dead, with the two governors left in its fold, Makinde and Bala Mohammed, already in defection talks with the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
ADC leaders must reflect deeply on this history. Any repeat of such strategic errors could hand an automatic advantage to the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu. Many youths who supported the likes of Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the 2023 elections are in the ADC today, and that explains the surge in the membership registration recently conducted by the party. Many of them believe it is still the turn of the South to produce the next president. Will they remain within the fold if Atiku muscled his way and picks the party’s presidential ticket?
Atiku’s continued pursuit of the presidency, despite repeated setbacks, raises a simple but profound question: Is this about service or self? His assertion that he will support whoever emerges from the primary also deserves scrutiny. On the surface, it sounds conciliatory. But in reality, it could be interpreted as political signalling—a subtle message that others should be prepared to rally behind him, as he likely assumes he will clinch the ticket.
Yet, winning a party primary is not the same as winning a national election.
As 2027 approaches, the ADC and any opposition coalition face a defining choice. Do they prioritise a candidate whose ambition may polarise the electorate and fracture alliances, or do they rally behind a figure who can unify diverse interests and present a credible alternative?
Atiku Abubakar stands at a crossroads. He can choose to cement his legacy as a unifier who placed Nigeria’s stability above personal ambition, or he can persist on a path that risks deepening divisions within both his coalition and the country at large.
Nigeria does not merely need experience; it needs balance, trust, and a genuine commitment to unity. The decisions made today will shape not just the outcome of 2027, but the future of the republic itself.
Beyond politics, there is also a moral and philosophical dimension. Both Islam and Christianity emphasise divine sovereignty in the affairs of men. Power ultimately comes from God, not from relentless human striving. The Qur’anic worldview and the Biblical injunction—“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it”—serve as reminders that ambition must be tempered with humility and discernment.
Atiku should reflect deeply and take the advice offered him by former military governor of Ondo state and ex- Deputy national chairman of the PDP, Olabode George. He said, “my advice to Atiku now is to retire home because he is going to be 80 this year. He should forget any presidential ambition and go home to play with his grandchildren.”
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