Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that he is willing to step aside for a younger candidate if he is defeated in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku emphasized that uniting the opposition under the ADC is his current priority, stating, “This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following.”
He mentioned that if he chooses to run for office and a younger aspirant defeats him, he will accept the outcome. “The party we have joined now prioritizes youth and women,” he added, highlighting the need for a new generation of leaders.
Atiku dismissed speculations regarding potential double-dealing between the ADC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting, “No, I’m not known for that. If I say I am going one way, I will go that way.”
In July 2025, Atiku resigned from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction away from its founding principles. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the PDP Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, he expressed his reasons for leaving, stating, “I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.”
Atiku’s statements reflect his commitment to fostering a political environment that encourages younger voices and suggests a strategic pivot as he navigates the upcoming electoral landscape.
