Atiku uncertain about 2027 presidential bid, calls Nigeria’s leadership ‘distressing’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that he is uncertain about contesting the 2027 presidential election.

In a yet-to-be-aired interview for the television show Untold Stories, hosted by Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku acknowledged that any decision about his candidacy would depend on the formation of a viable opposition platform, emphasizing that Nigeria is in dire need of experienced leadership.

Atiku, who has run for president six times, recently announced the creation of a coalition of opposition leaders seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in 2027. However, speculation remains over who will lead the coalition, with Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai considered key figures.

When asked if he would run, Atiku responded:
“I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”

Reflecting on past political coalitions, he recalled the 2014 merger that led to the APC’s victory, stressing the importance of unity among opposition leaders.

Atiku also shared his concerns about Nigeria’s democratic decline, agreeing with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent critique of the nation’s governance.
“No doubt about that,” he said, describing the country’s political situation as “very dire.”

Expressing disappointment in the next generation of political leaders, Atiku lamented the lack of progress in governance, despite many former governors and senators now holding key positions.
“Instead of me to see an improvement in the level of governance at the state level and so on and so forth, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed.”

He also questioned the credibility of the National Assembly, particularly regarding its ratification of the state of emergency in Rivers State, alleging that the lawmakers are corrupt.
“I am not surprised,” he remarked, further deepening his concerns over the country’s political future.