Atiku Abubakar - 2027 Coalition Is for Nigeria

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has clarified that the growing opposition coalition, which includes key figures like Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, is not about individual political aspirations but about salvaging Nigeria’s democracy from what he describes as "creeping authoritarianism" under the current administration.

Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, Atiku dismissed speculation surrounding internal power struggles or a looming battle for the 2027 presidential ticket. Instead, he emphasized that the coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and gaining momentum nationwide is a “pro-Nigerian movement” aimed at restoring democratic integrity and protecting 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.

Responding to media chatter that has framed the coalition as a power play among heavyweights, Atiku stressed that the mission transcends personal political ambitions.

“This is not about Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, or Nasir El-Rufai—it is about the survival of Nigerian democracy and the well-being of its people,” he said.

Atiku’s comments come amid internal tension within some parties. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently disowned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating he had no official membership and banning him from the party for 30 years.

In a bold accusation, Atiku claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is already setting the stage to rig the 2027 elections. He pointed specifically to the controversial appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official who once headed the commission’s Information Technology department as APC National Chairman.

“This is not a coincidence. It shows the ruling party is more interested in manipulating outcomes than earning public trust through performance,” Atiku warned.

According to him, such appointments signal deeper intentions to compromise the transparency of the upcoming electoral process.

Atiku urged all opposition parties and leaders to close ranks and resist the temptation to allow egos or personal ambitions to derail the collective goal.

“Any internal divisions will only serve the interests of those clinging to power. We must remember that unity is our strength. Without it, we risk handing victory to those who thrive on division,” he cautioned.

He concluded by reiterating that the coalition is fundamentally about giving Nigerians the chance to recover from economic hardship, insecurity, and institutional decay.

“Our mission is to rebuild Nigeria. Let us not make the mistake of focusing on the destination and forget the road we must walk together to get there.”