Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphasized that the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress is not driven by the political ambitions of prominent figures, but rather by a mission to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from alleged authoritarian threats.
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in an interview with Vanguard on Sunday in Abuja, Atiku clarified that the coalition transcends individual interests of political heavyweights including himself, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai.
The former presidential candidate stressed that the primary objective is to protect Nigeria’s democratic integrity, which he claims faces unprecedented challenges under the current administration.
“This is not an anti-Tinubu project; it is a pro-Nigerian movement. Nigerians must be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” Atiku declared, positioning the coalition as a patriotic initiative rather than a personal vendetta.
His statement comes amid growing speculation about potential rivalry among leading opposition figures for the coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket, with Atiku seeking to downplay such concerns by emphasizing collective purpose over individual ambitions.
The former Vice President raised serious allegations about the ruling party’s electoral preparations, specifically targeting the controversial appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission official as APC’s national chairman.
“The appointment of a former REC of INEC as the APC national chairman is deeply troubling. This isn’t just any ordinary REC; this is someone who held a strategic position, such as heading the Information Technology Department of INEC,” Atiku alleged.
He characterized this appointment as evidence of systematic preparation for electoral manipulation, claiming it demonstrates the ruling party’s lack of confidence in winning through legitimate means.
“This move clearly indicates that the ruling party is not interested in winning elections through due process or on the strength of their performance. Instead, they are laying the groundwork to rig the upcoming election,” he accused.
Atiku warned that the APC is already implementing strategies designed to manipulate the 2027 electoral process, describing this as part of a broader pattern of creeping authoritarianism that threatens Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate emphasized that the coalition’s effectiveness hinges entirely on maintaining unity among opposition leaders, warning that internal conflicts would only strengthen the ruling party’s position.
“Any internal divisions would benefit those who intend on clinging to power. Those who oppose us seek to exploit any cracks within our ranks, turning them into craters. We cannot afford this. Unity is our strength,” he cautioned.
Atiku stressed that the movement’s focus must remain on collective national interests rather than individual political aspirations, reiterating that the coalition represents a genuine attempt to restore democratic governance in Nigeria.
“This is not about individual leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, or others within the coalition. It is about the well-being and future of Nigeria. Our mission is about enabling Nigerians to recover and rebuild their nation. It’s crucial to avoid counting our chickens before they are hatched,” he concluded.
