Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphasized that the emerging opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress is primarily focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy rather than promoting individual political ambitions.
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard on Monday, Atiku dismissed speculation about potential conflicts over the coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket among prominent figures like himself, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, or Nasir El-Rufai.
“This is not an anti-Tinubu project; it is a pro-Nigerian movement. Nigerians must be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” Atiku stated firmly. He expressed deep concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy under the All Progressives Congress administration, accusing the ruling party of preparing to manipulate the 2027 elections.
Atiku specifically criticized the APC’s appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission official as national chairman, describing it as particularly troubling. “This isn’t just any ordinary REC; this is someone who held a strategic position, such as heading the Information Technology (IT) Department of INEC,” he noted. The former vice president warned that this move clearly indicates the ruling party’s intention to rig the upcoming election rather than compete fairly based on their performance record.
Stressing the critical need for opposition unity, Atiku cautioned that “any internal divisions would benefit those who intend on clinging to power.” He emphasized that “Unity is our strength; when we stand together, it becomes difficult for anyone to sow seeds of discord.” The statesman reiterated that the coalition’s mission transcends individual ambitions, stating clearly: “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.”
In a related development, the Social Democratic Party took drastic action against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, expelling and banning him from party activities for thirty years. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, detailed multiple violations including false representation of SDP membership, failure to properly register at his ward, and promoting another political party’s activities in Kaduna State. The SDP’s statement explicitly prohibited El-Rufai from any involvement with the party for three decades, marking one of the most severe disciplinary actions in recent Nigerian political history.
