The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the 2027 presidential aspirations of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 election, labelling it as the most laughable news of 2024.
Bala Ibrahim, APC’s Director of Publicity, predicted a “heavy defeat” for the former vice president in 2027. This comes in response to Atiku’s spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, confirming Atiku’s intention to run again.
Atiku has contested the presidency six times before, failing in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. Despite his repeated losses, Bwala described him as “the president we never had,” citing his experience and understanding of the private sector.
However, the APC argues that Atiku has no remaining “value.” Ibrahim stated, “Our party, which is the All Progressive Congress, thrashed Atiku not once, not twice. Even when we thought he had the energy and little credibility to make him viable to Nigerians, we defeated him completely.
“How can someone who is just trying to regain his balance be a threat to the APC come 2027? That is unthinkable; Atiku can never be a threat to the APC. He wasn’t a threat when he had little value. How can he be a threat when he is already valueless? It’s a dream that will not come to pass.’’
Ibrahim advised Atiku to quit politics, suggesting he was being misled by his advisors.
This comment, however, drew criticism from the PDP’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi.
He said, “It( PDP) is a political party. The ultimate objective and goal of a political party is to produce leadership. So, if people are interested in vying for the presidency, governorship, Senate, or whatever office in 2027 on the platform of the PDP, I don’t think they should begin to mobilise because that is one way you can keep a political party going.”
On the timing, he said, “You cannot just wake up in the morning and instruct people not to nurse ambition. Then, it is not a political party. I understand the question to mean if they continue to promote their political ambition, it will be to the detriment of the political party; no, that is not correct.
“What I know as a politician: Politics is about ambition, politics is about interests. So, if people start jostling for power now, ahead of 2027 as you see it, it is not too early.
“There’s a need for them to cross the file and rank to ensure that they promote it in a healthy atmosphere, and that will keep the political party afloat. So, I am of the view that it is a healthy development. They should be allowed to do it once it is within the confines of the law.
“We’re not just expecting people to go campaigning now or rallying for support, but what they want to do is to promote the party and to be able to indicate interest in certain offices. It’s a healthy development.”
