Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), will emerge through the consensus option.

This is just as he stated that the 2027 presidential election will mark the final chapter of his long political career, stating unequivocally that he will not seek office beyond the next election cycle.

The ex-vice president also expressed willingness to support whoever emerges as the winner of the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries later in the year.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE TV on Wednesday, Atiku said: “The first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t work out, then we will go for primary elections. But I will support anybody who emerges.”

The ADC chieftain hinted at his willingness to step aside if another candidate emerges through a consensus or electoral process within the coalition.

“I will step aside for any winner,” he said, adding when asked specifically about Peter Obi, “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?”

Responding to a question on whether he would quit the political stage after 2027, he said, “Certainly yes, the stakes are higher because I believe that will be my last outing.”

When pressed to confirm the finality of his decision, he responded firmly, “That’s incontrovertible.”

The former vice president, who has been a central figure in Nigeria’s politics for decades, acknowledged that convincing Nigerians to back his candidacy again remained the immediate task before him.

Responding to concerns that he represents the past rather than the future, Atiku argued that his experience remained relevant, saying, “I represent both the past and the future.”

He added that while younger leaders have had opportunities in governance, their performance has not fully met the people’s expectations.

“We have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them. And I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership are below what we thought,” he said.

Atiku stressed the importance of experience in leadership, drawing from his time serving under former President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007).

According to him, “What I was able to learn from President Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside.”

He maintained that younger political leaders require mentorship and exposure to governance to succeed, insisting that “Young men also require experience to be able to succeed.”

During the interview, Atiku also criticised the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing its performance as disappointing.

“Bola has been a very bad President, to be honest with you. In the way he governs the country, whether economically or otherwise, it’s a disappointment,” he said.

He expressed concern about the state of democratic institutions, warning against the concentration of power.

“We have seen how, virtually, you know, the presidency has almost turned the various institutions that are supposed to be checks and balances, under one roof, which is quite dangerous,” he said.

The Waziri Adamawa revealed that he is a key driver of a broad political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that alliances are necessary for electoral success in Nigeria.

“I am one of the initiators of this coalition, or perhaps the leading initiator of the coalition,” he said.

He explained that his position was informed by historical trends.

“I studied the political history of Nigeria; the only future is a broad coalition,” he added.

Atiku added that the emerging alliance cuts across major political blocs, stating, “You have elements from APC, from PDP, from NNPP, from Labour. So that makes it a much broader coalition.”

Atiku also reaffirmed confidence in his traditional political base in Northern Nigeria, declaring, “The North still remains my major political base.”

On constitutional reforms, he advocated formalising zoning in Nigeria’s constitution to ensure fairness in power rotation.

“Even if it is the only amendment I can make, I will move towards that,” he said.

Despite his continued ambition, Atiku acknowledged that 2027 would be his last attempt at the Presidency, leaving the future to a new generation of leaders.

“That’s left to the next generation to take it on,” he noted.

His declaration sets the stage for what could be a defining and final political battle in 2027, as he seeks to secure the presidency after multiple previous attempts. (The PUNCH)

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