Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to step down or withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if a younger, vibrant and acceptable candidate emerges as the presidential candidate of his political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa service on Wednesday as part of events to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.

Atiku insisted that being in the 2027 presidential race does not stop anyone from participating, thus encouraging the youths to join the race to rescue Nigeria, assuring them maximum political support and guide on ways that could result in success.

He denied the claims that he’s desperate for the seat of the president of Nigeria, but that he was only interested in rescuing Nigeria from the people that have held the country “hostage.”

“Besides, that is one of the reasons we set up ADC, which i am a member. We couldn’t achieve that with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because the APC government in power has decided to use some leaders of the party to frustrate the efforts of having a strong opposition that could challenge the government.

“As the day went by, the crisis in PDP were growing, and the hope to resolve it was speedily vanishing because some senior members of the party were allegedly being used by the government to further destabilize the party, and we could see that in their actions and utterances.

“I could have taken some firm decisions to fix the party if I was the Chairman or Secretary of the party, or someone that listens to me was the Chairman or secretary. Sadly, the people occupying that positions have different interests are mostly personal to them.

“Regarding the ADC, our goal is to establish the structures of the party at the state levels. We have already established the national leadership of the party, and they are working on ensuring the state and local government structures are strengthened and ready for 2027 elections.

On the 65th Independence of Nigeria, Atiku said the country has witnessed some changes but are from what the founding fathers had dreamed for the country.

He challenged the federal government to rise to the occasion of fixing the country even though the country has lost hope in the ability of the president to fix the country economically, politically, and otherwise.

He blamed President Tinubu for the growing poverty and suffering among the masses in Nigeria, linking it to the unplanned removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023. “When I was vice president, we proposed that the fuel subsidy be removed in four phases, and we engaged relevant stakeholders, including the labour unions, all through process.

“But President Tinubu’s decision to remove subsidy fully without plans to cushion the effect brought us this unprecedented pain, suffering and ultimately, poverty in this country. No country announces full subsidy removal once because it brings pain and poverty to the people,” he added.

He blamed President Tinubu for the growing poverty and suffering among the masses in Nigeria, linking it to the unplanned removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023. “When I was vice president, we proposed that the fuel subsidy be removed in four phases, and we engaged relevant stakeholders, including the labour unions, all through process.

“But President Tinubu’s decision to remove subsidy fully without plans to cushion the effect brought us this unprecedented pain, suffering and ultimately, poverty in this country. No country announces full subsidy removal once because it brings pain and poverty to the people,” he added. (Daily Sun)