Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed suggestions that he or any other aspirant should withdraw from the African Democratic Congress presidential contest ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that the party will allow all qualified candidates to compete freely.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku framed the debate as part of a wider struggle over Nigeria’s democratic future. He urged Nigerians to resist what he described as attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress to intimidate and weaken opposition forces before the next election cycle.

The remarks come amid growing speculation within political circles that Atiku is facing pressure to step aside for a Southern candidate, particularly following recent realignments among opposition figures. Supporters of that view argue that regional balance could shape voter sentiment in 2027, especially after President Bola Tinubu, a Southerner, won the presidency in 2023.

Atiku rejected that line of thinking outright. He argued instead that if any leader should consider stepping aside, it should be President Tinubu, whose administration he portrayed as increasingly damaging to national cohesion and economic stability.

According to the statement, Atiku described the period since Tinubu took office as one of the most difficult in recent memory, citing economic hardship and what he called a narrowing democratic space. While the statement did not introduce new data, it echoed concerns already raised by labour unions, civil society groups, and economic analysts about inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and currency volatility since 2023.

“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history,” the statement said, attributing widespread hardship to government policy choices under the current administration.

Atiku’s camp went further by accusing the APC of deliberately working to sideline opposition parties, warning of what it called a creeping move toward a de facto one party state. That accusation reflects a broader anxiety within opposition ranks, especially as defections, internal disputes, and legal battles have weakened several parties since the last election.

Political analysts note that Nigeria’s opposition has historically struggled to maintain cohesion between election cycles. The Peoples Democratic Party, once dominant, has been plagued by internal rifts, while newer parties have found it difficult to translate enthusiasm into nationwide structures. Against that backdrop, Atiku’s statement positions the ADC as a potential rallying platform rather than merely another vehicle for elite contestation.

The statement said “patriotic leaders” had identified the risk of opposition collapse early and chose to unite around the ADC as what it described as a credible national alternative. While the ADC has existed for years, it has recently gained visibility as prominent figures signal interest or formally join the party.

One of the most notable developments was the recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu. The move drew attention because Enugu is widely regarded as a political stronghold in the Southeast and because Obi remains a significant figure among younger voters and urban professionals.

According to Atiku’s statement, Obi’s declaration triggered public reactions from a serving minister and presidential aides, who allegedly spoke about plans to undermine the ADC. While the statement did not name the officials or cite specific actions, it portrayed those comments as evidence of fear within the ruling camp.

From Atiku’s perspective, such reactions underscore why the ADC must keep its internal processes open and insulated from external pressure. He stressed that the party is committed to a transparent and competitive method for choosing its flagbearer and that no aspirant would be forced out.

The statement emphasised that the ADC’s immediate priority is organisational rather than electoral. It said the party is currently focused on building ward, local government, and state level structures across the country, a step often cited by election observers as essential for credibility and voter mobilisation.

Atiku warned against what he described as disruptors and infiltrators, arguing that sustained interference could derail that groundwork. He insisted that decisions about the party’s internal affairs, including its presidential ticket, remain the sole responsibility of its members.

“The party remains open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures,” the statement said, adding that inclusiveness rather than coercion is central to democratic practice.

This emphasis on process is notable in a political environment where candidate imposition has often fuelled internal crises. Analysts say Atiku’s stance may be aimed at reassuring both long standing ADC members and new entrants that the party will not simply become a closed arrangement for a few political heavyweights.