Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly rejected calls from some quarters for him to step aside from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential coalition in favour of Peter Obi.
Atiku's Firm Stance Against Stepping Down
In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday, January 6, Atiku dismissed the notion that any aspirant in the coalition would withdraw for another. This position comes amid public appeals by some supporters of Peter Obi, known as 'Obidients,' for other ADC presidential hopefuls to step down for the Labour Party figure.
The statement was a direct response to recent comments by Obi's allies, including Prof Pat Utomi and activist Aisha Yesufu, who have also rejected the idea of Obi emerging as a Vice Presidential candidate within the coalition.
A Warning Against Democratic Erosion
Atiku described calls for him to withdraw as "dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy." His media office strongly argued that such a move would benefit authoritarian forces.
"Any call — overt or covert — for Atiku to 'step aside' is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people," the statement declared.
Accusations Against the Tinubu Administration
Beyond the internal coalition dynamics, Atiku's statement launched a broadside against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He accused it of deliberately weakening opposition parties to create a "creeping, de facto one-party state."
The statement painted a grim picture of the current political and economic climate, asserting, "For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history — an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space."
It further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has engaged in systematic pressure on opposition forces to eliminate political alternatives, thereby threatening the foundational pluralism of Nigeria's democracy.
This strong rebuttal from Atiku's camp signals a firm commitment to his presidential ambition within the ADC framework and sets the stage for a potentially contentious process of selecting a unified opposition candidate ahead of the next election cycle.
