Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed speculations about his potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing that his current focus is on the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Abubakar made this clear in response to comments from Chief Bode George, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, who advised him to forgo any plans of contesting in 2027.
Chief George had suggested that Atiku should follow the example of U.S. President Joe Biden, who recently opted to step aside for a younger candidate ahead of the 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
Atiku’s response, conveyed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, stressed that discussions about 2027 are premature given the severe challenges Nigerians are currently enduring.
He highlighted that his concerns are centered on the immediate future—2024, 2025, and 2026—and the ongoing struggles of citizens under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literally going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration,” Ibe stated.
He further berated the current government, arguing that it has left Nigerians worse off and urged Chief George to focus on advising President Tinubu to reconsider his policies, which have deepened poverty and division in the country.