Calls for Atiku Abubakar to Withdraw from 2027 Presidential Race
Emmanuel Ugwu Nwogo of Enugu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been urged to reconsider his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election to honor the established conventions regarding power transitions between Nigeria’s North and South. Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this appeal during a recent address in Enugu, reiterating his belief that Atiku has no grounds to compete while the presidency currently resides in the South.
Atiku has decided to pursue the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), setting the stage for a matchup against President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election. This move aligns with his long-standing ambition to lead Nigeria. Okechukwu stressed that Atiku should heed the recommendations of the Southern Political Progressive Integration Forum (SPPAF) and withdraw from the race, urging him to formulate a viable strategy for his campaign if he continues as the ADC candidate.
The SPPAF has reportedly advised Atiku to carefully select his running mate for the 2027 general elections, emphasizing the importance of solidifying his support within the southern regions. Okechukwu, who previously served as the executive director of Voice of Nigeria (VON), reacted to SPPAF’s recommendations by urging Atiku to disregard such calls, insisting they are misguided and not in the best interest of the nation.
Okechukwu explained that it would benefit Nigeria for Atiku to temper his ambitions and support the current southern presidency, which is expected to end in 2031, before power shifts back to the North. He underscored that self-serving groups, like the Southern Political Progressive Merger Forum, have exerted undue pressure on Atiku, which he believes has led to the disarray within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with regard to existing zoning conventions.
He implored Atiku to return to the principle of zoning, which he argued would bolster Nigeria’s fledgling democracy, a principle Atiku’s ambitions have, in Okechukwu’s view, jeopardized. He expressed confusion over Atiku’s current stance, noting that the former Vice President had previously championed the importance of zoning during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Okechukwu emphasized that as a beneficiary of the zoning framework, Atiku has a responsibility to uphold this principle, thereby promoting national unity, equity, and political stability. However, he acknowledged the timing is less than ideal for Atiku to withdraw from the race at this juncture.
Despite recognizing the momentum behind Atiku’s campaign preparation, Okechukwu noted that it is not too late for him to make amends. He called on Atiku to embrace the role of a politician and utilize the remaining months to cultivate a robust opposition rather than casting blame on President Tinubu.
