Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, ending speculation about his political future.
The announcement was made through Tunde Olusunle, Atiku’s long-time associate and spokesperson during the 2023 presidential campaign, during an interview on ThisDay Sunday night.
“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned to,” Atiku reportedly said from his residence in the UAE.
Atiku’s declaration comes in response to recent comments by Professor Ola Olateju of Achievers University, who had suggested that the former vice president might step back from politics to focus more broadly on national development.
Atiku, however, quickly distanced himself from the professor’s remarks, clarifying that Olateju had not been authorised to speak on his behalf.
“There was no engagement with me. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me,” Atiku stated.
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate did not hold back in his assessment of the current administration, accusing it of rampant corruption and lack of accountability.
“The mega-scale, unimpeded thievery and absolute lack of accountability must disturb every patriot,” Olusunle quoted Atiku as saying after a private discussion.
Atiku argued that Nigeria has suffered severe deterioration in governance and social conditions under the APC-led government, describing the country as being in “intensive care.”
Despite PDP’s internal challenges and recent losses, Atiku expressed confidence in the opposition’s ability to regroup and mount a strong challenge in the next election.
“We will shock the world in 2027,” he assured, noting that his coalition is working to mobilise Nigerians in a united effort to “reclaim and rebuild” the nation.
He emphasized his intention to lead the movement for national recovery and said he would “offer himself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland.”
