Fresh political tension emerged on Thursday as the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress downplayed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku secured victory in the party’s primary with 1,846,370 votes, defeating former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 504,117 votes, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who polled 177,120 votes.
The exercise, however, ended in controversy after Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the process, alleging widespread irregularities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Both candidates stayed away from the final collation and announcement of results.
Reacting to Atiku’s emergence, the Presidency insisted that the former Vice President would not pose any serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next election, arguing that Nigerians would judge leaders based on performance rather than political alliances.
Presidential spokesman, Temitope Ajayi, described Atiku as a familiar face in Nigeria’s presidential race, noting that he had contested multiple times since the early 1990s.
According to Ajayi, the coalition backing the ADC candidate lacked ideology and was merely made up of dissatisfied politicians seeking relevance after losing influence within government circles.
He further stated that the alliance had already weakened following the exit of notable opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, adding that the coalition lacked the unity that helped former President Muhammadu Buhari secure victory in 2015.
Ajayi also argued that the opposition had failed to present alternative ideas or a clear developmental agenda capable of challenging the current administration.
The emergence of Atiku also reignited debates surrounding Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement between the North and South, a political understanding many stakeholders believe has helped maintain balance since the return to democracy in 1999.
Opposition parties including the Social Democratic Party and the Labour Party criticised Atiku’s decision to contest again, describing it as insensitive to the country’s political climate.
The SDP said its constitution supports the rotation of presidential power between both regions to promote fairness and national inclusion.
Labour Party spokesman, Ken Asogwa, maintained that although Atiku has the constitutional right to contest, political sensitivity should guide such ambitions in a diverse federation like Nigeria.
The LP also questioned the credibility of the ADC following disputes that trailed the presidential primary.
Meanwhile, the APC maintained confidence in President Tinubu’s chances in 2027, insisting that Nigerians would assess the administration’s performance under the Renewed Hope Agenda rather than emotional political narratives.
APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, described Atiku’s latest political move as a sign of inconsistency and desperation, insisting that the electorate would resist any attempt to shift power back to the North after only one southern presidential term.
In response, Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, accused the Presidency of showing signs of panic by reacting strongly to the ADC primary outcome.
He argued that Nigerians facing economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment would ultimately determine the outcome of the next election.
Shaibu dismissed claims that the coalition consisted only of aggrieved politicians, insisting that ordinary citizens frustrated by worsening living conditions were the real driving force behind the movement.
Amid the controversy, Atiku also visited Rotimi Amaechi at his Abuja residence shortly after the primary election.
The meeting, revealed by media personality Dele Momodu, was described as part of efforts to reconcile party stakeholders after the disputed exercise.
Shaibu explained that the visit was both a birthday courtesy call and an opportunity for both leaders to discuss pressing national challenges, including insecurity and the economy.
He added that Atiku emphasised unity within the party and urged members to focus on rebuilding Nigeria rather than divisions arising from the primary contest.
Political observers believe the meeting may be an early attempt by the former Vice President to stabilise the ADC and consolidate support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.