The All Progressives Congress has wasted no time in adopting President Bola Tinubu for a second term bid two years ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The APC is leveraging the power of incumbency and the advantage of being the ruling party with controls of 23 governors and 70 (of 109) senators and 220 (of 360) House Representatives members after defections of opposition figures.
Atiku is a strong political leader who commands millions of votes every election. The Adamawa-born politician has been in the presidential race since 1993, running six times — 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
But fortune has not smiled on his ambition, just as he has also refused to give up. Having resigned from the PDP after the birth of the ADC-led coalition, Atiku has declared his ambition under the new movement.
In the 2023 election, Atiku polled over 6,984,520 votes, winning 12 states. His political spread in the North remains his biggest asset, alongside his financial war chest and national recognition.
But Atiku faces the twin challenges of voter fatigue and perceptions of political opportunism. Critics argue that after six attempts, he represents the old order and should take a back seat in politics. Born on November 25, 1946, Atiku will be 80 years old (turning 81 in November) in 2027. However, some other political pundits believe he deserves a last chance at the presidential shot. According to analysts, Atiku must secure a running mate from the South with wide youth appeal to boost his chances. They argue that without a strong alliance with Obi or Kwankwaso, Atiku risks splitting the opposition vote and gifting Tinubu victory.
He said, “Atiku is not a religious or ethnic bigot. He is not given to religion or tribe, unlike Tinubu, who has used the opportunity of his presidency to advance the interests of his family and tribe. Nigeria does not need a bigot because we have been divided along all kinds of lines. We need a leader who will serve the interests of Nigerians irrespective of where they come from. That is a major strength of Atiku Abubakar. He is an inclusive person, and inclusiveness is a tool for national unity and stability.”
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