Politics

Atiku Pledges to Save Nigeria: I Will Run for President in 2027, Whether You Like It or Not

Chioma Ndukwu 6 months ago 2 min read

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, has firmly declared that he will run for president in the 2027 elections, stating that no one will deter him from his mission to rescue the nation.

The statement follows a controversial remark by Professor Ola Olateju, who represented Atiku at a recent event in Lagos. Olateju suggested that Atiku’s presidential ambitions were driven by a vision for better governance, not personal gain. He emphasized that Atiku was not desperate to become president, but rather focused on improving Nigeria’s political landscape. However, Atiku swiftly disowned these comments.

In an interview from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the former Vice President made it clear that Olateju’s words did not reflect his true intentions. “I did not authorize that statement. Prof Olateju was not speaking on my behalf,” he asserted. Atiku reaffirmed that he was fully committed to running for president, adding: “Nigeria is in dire straits. The country needs decisive leadership, and I am prepared to offer that.”

Atiku painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s current state, calling it a “national emergency.” He condemned the widespread poverty, corruption, and lack of accountability that have crippled the nation, stressing that these issues must be urgently addressed for the future of the country.

The former Vice President also pointed to the growing momentum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the political coalition he is part of, which he believes will change the course of Nigeria’s politics. “We are leading a movement that will disrupt the status quo. The world will be shocked by what we achieve in 2027,” he predicted.

Atiku, who has contested the presidency in 2007, 2019, and 2023, remains undeterred despite his age. At 78, he is set to be 81 by the time of the 2027 election, but he insists that as long as he is healthy, he will continue to fight for the leadership of Nigeria. “This is not about age. It’s about the future of our country,” he concluded.