Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 presidential election may be his final bid for Nigeria’s top office.
He made the statement during a live interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, linking his decision to age and rising political stakes.
“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” he said.
Atiku, who will be 80 by the next election, has contested multiple times since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, and even before.
Atiku Opens Door To Coalition Compromise
The former vice president also addressed the possibility of stepping aside within an opposition coalition.
“Yes, I will step aside for any winner,” he said.
When asked specifically about Peter Obi, his former running mate, Atiku gave a clear answer.
“Of course, if he is a contender, why not?” he added.
He explained that any candidate should emerge through a transparent process or consensus arrangement.
“What is difficult there? It is democracy,” he said.
“You either go through consensus or you go through an election,” he added.
The remarks come as opposition figures explore alliances under the African Democratic Congress.
Northern Influence And Political Strength
Atiku also defended his political relevance, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where voter numbers often shape election outcomes.
“Can you tell who is a current leader in the North who has more votes than I have?” he asked.
He listed figures such as Aminu Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai.
However, he argued that none matched his electoral strength across the region.
“None of them have got that northern vote as much as I’ve got,” he said.
He also downplayed the influence of Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“Kwankwaso’s popularity is restricted to only Kano State,” he said.
“Kano is even now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf,” he added.
Decades Of Presidential Ambition
Atiku’s political journey spans over three decades, beginning with his attempt during the 1993 SDP primaries.
He stepped down then for Moshood Abiola, who later won the annulled election.
He served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 under Olusegun Obasanjo.
He later contested under different platforms, including the Action Congress in 2007.
Atiku also sought the presidency under the PDP in 2011 but lost the primary to Goodluck Jonathan.
He joined the APC in 2014, where he lost the presidential ticket to Muhammadu Buhari.
He returned to the PDP in 2017 and ran in 2019 and 2023 but lost both elections.
“I represent both the past and the future,” Atiku said.
He also backed coalition politics as the only viable path forward.
“I don’t see a future unless there is a coalition,” he said.
He criticised the current administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It has been a disappointment… whether economically or otherwise,” he said.
Atiku also revisited the issue of zoning and rotational presidency.
“I should have supported rotational presidency,” he admitted.
He said he would now pursue it through constitutional amendment if elected.
For more details, see the full interview here.
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