APC vows a crushing loss while Atiku considers 2027 presidential run

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for 2023, is reportedly planning to run in the 2027 election, but the All Progressives Congress has dismissed this idea.

In a Wednesday interview, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim called Atiku’s 2027 ambition the most ridiculous development of 2024. He predicted that the outgoing vice president will lose once more.

Daniel Bwala’s former vice president’s spokeswoman announced on Tuesday night that his principal will run for president again in 2027.

Atiku had six unsuccessful attempts to become the president of Nigeria: in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Following the Supreme Court’s confirmation of President Bola Tinubu as the victor of the 2023 election, in which Atiku finished in second place, the politician made hints that he was not going to retire from office and vowed to keep influencing the democratic conversation.

“As for me and my party, this phase of our work is done,” he had stated. But I’m not leaving you behind. As long as I have breath, I will fight alongside other Nigerians to strengthen our democracy, uphold the rule of law, and bring about the kind of political and economic transformation that will allow the nation to realize its full potential.

“Nigeria’s younger generations, who have even greater stakes than my generation, should now lead that struggle.”

However, Bwala referred to Atiku as the president Nigeria has never had in an interview that aired on Channels television on Tuesday night.

The attorney stated, “Of course, he would run,” in response to a query on whether Atiku would run for president in 2027. He have the ability, insight, knowledge, and vitality.

“And he’s the president we never had.” To be very honest with you, Atiku Abubakar is one of the politicians who has the greatest understanding of the private sector, and our economy can only thrive in the presence of a private sector-led economy. Because of his skills and expertise, he is the president the nation has been lacking.

In response to Bwala’s disclosure, PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi said it was a positive step forward. However, he refuted suggestions that the party would be left in the dark regarding certain leaders’ aspirations to become president in 2027, stressing that the PDP needs to unite, mobilize support, and galvanize before that happens.

PDP gives Atiku praise.

In an interview with one of our correspondents, Abdullahi said, “It’s a political party, the PDP.” A political party’s main purpose is to develop leaders. Thus, I don’t think individuals should start organizing if they want to run on the PDP platform for president, governor, Senate, or any other post in 2027. After all, that’s one way to keep a political party alive.

He commented on the timing, saying that you can’t just tell people to stop nurturing ambition when you wake up in the morning. Consequently, it isn’t a political party. I interpret the question to suggest that the political party will suffer if they continue to further their political goals; however, it is untrue.

“As a politician, I am aware that politics is about interests and ambition. Thus, it is not too early if people begin vying for power now, before 2027 as you see fit.

To guarantee that they promote it in a positive environment and maintain the political party’s viability, they must go beyond party lines. Thus, I believe that this is a positive development. As long as it stays within the bounds of the law, they ought to be permitted to do it.

We want individuals to promote the party and be able to express interest in particular offices, not just go out and campaign or gather support. It’s a positive trend.

But according to Wednesday, the APC’s media director, Atiku will narrowly lose the 2027 presidential contest. He says there is no political value to the former vice president.

Regarding Atiku’s potential threat to the APC, Ibrahim stated, “Our party, the All Progressive Congress, thrashed Atiku not once, not twice.” We totally defeated him, even when we believed he had the drive and minimal credibility to appeal to Nigerians.

“How can someone who is only attempting to get back on track be a danger to the APC in 2027? That is inconceivable; Atiku will never pose a challenge to the APC. When he was worthless, he posed no threat. He is already worthless, how can he pose a threat? It’s an unrealistic dream.

The former vice president should resign from office, the party spokesman said, adding that he was being duped by his staff and political friends.

APC censures the former vice president.

Ibrahim went on, “Atiku had better put politics entirely out of his mind. I believe that Bwala and a few other people are just making this up. And it just serves to highlight the fact that Atiku is surrounded by individuals who are trying to deceive him, as anyone who truly cares about Atiku will not suggest that he run against Tinubu in the long future.

The APC has no concerns whatsoever about this. There is no stopping Atiku. In terms of political value, he must have decreased by 2027, since he has never been a force to be reckoned with. Though we haven’t arrived at the bridge yet, we shall cross it eventually.

Atiku has the right to pursue his presidential dream in 2027, according to several opposition political groups.

Although Atiku has the freedom to run for any political office he chooses, the New Nigeria People’s Party pointed out that 2027 seems too far off to be discussing now.

Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP Presidential Campaign Council’s spokesman for the 2023 election, reasoned that a lot could happen between now and 2027 that would make the discussion of the issue superfluous.

“Daniel Bwala has the right to say whatever he wants regarding the ambition of his principal, but it is up to Nigerians to decide what they want,” he stated. 2027 is a long way off, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to have a discussion about it just yet. It’s too soon.

To be fair, Atiku is free to run for office as often as he pleases. Many things could happen between now and 2027. Let’s observe how things work out.

“Support Obi.”

But in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Yunusa Tanko, the spokesperson for the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, stated that Nigerians were sick of Atiku and other members of the “old stock.”

According to Tanko, who predicted that Obi will run for president in 2027, the former governor of Anambra State desired for Nigeria to be a working nation for all.

“Anybody who wants to demonstrate ambition and begin building at this time, that is their fundamental right,” he declared. However, we think that people’s interests are what really matter. Furthermore, the tide is turning in our favor, particularly among young Nigerians. They’ve had enough of the outdated inventory.

We thus wish anyone from the old stock the best of luck if they choose to run for office. However, it would have been preferable if they had helped a younger generation like Peter Obi by uniting this nation so that we could advance as a group. For the people of Nigeria right now, that would have made more sense and shown gratitude.

Obi stated, “That one is sure,” in response to a question about whether he would run in the 2027 election. That one is certain; there is no room for doubt.

“Obi wants to see Nigeria function; his ambition is not the most important thing,” he said. His goal is for Nigeria to function for all people.

On the other hand, Mr. Olu Agunloye, the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, contended that the former vice president’s ambition was perfectly acceptable.

All eligible Nigerians, including Atiku, are entitled to run for office, and many more will do so in 2027. Therefore, I find nothing wrong with Atiku’s desire to seek the presidency once more.

Yes, he urged the opposition to unite in order to have a chance of unseating the APC after losing his appeal at the Supreme Court. It was a wise decision. However, if you are wondering about the SDP’s stance on this, he responded, “There is no way our party will support Atiku because we will field a presidential candidate come 2027.”

The Action African Alliance’s 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, discounted Atiku’s chances in 2027 in his characteristically direct manner, stating that even if he is likely to run, he would lose again.

Atiku has a history of participating in competitions and losing them. He is worthless, both now and in the future, Sowore declared.

The former vice president was free to run for office again, according to Rotimi Olawale, Executive Director of YouthHub Africa. However, she added that more senior politicians have to back and encourage younger candidates.

“A government’s first year in power has hardly even passed. I believe it is premature to make predictions about the next four years. It’s legal for Atiku to run for president in 2027.

He said, “My biggest advice would be that many of the old folks should yield the floor and support a younger generation of leaders to emerge across Nigeria.”

During his speech, Wale Egbeola-Martins, the National Publicity Secretary of the Young Progressives Party, also stated that any eligible Nigerian has the constitutional right to run for the highest office in the land, and that electorates have the right to reject or accept candidates through voting.

“Atiku Abubakar’s potential 2027 campaign is still too early to be speculated upon; our current mission is to ensure good governance by holding the ruling government responsible.”

Although Atiku is more than qualified to run in 2027, the YPP has always held the view that young, bright, ambitious, and mentally progressive people should be encouraged to pursue leadership roles at all levels, including the presidency. This effectively rules out Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a candidate.

Further reporting by Nathaniel Shaibu and Dirisu Yakubu