Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asserted that he is not focused on pursuing the presidency in 2027 at this moment.
Instead, Atiku emphasized that his primary concern lies with the dire circumstances facing Nigerians, who are grappling with hunger and hardship as a result of President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
His comments came in response to suggestions from Chief Bode George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), who advised him to set aside any ambitions for the 2027 presidential race.
George recommended that Atiku take inspiration from U.S. President Joe Biden and abandon thoughts of running for Nigeria’s presidency in the next election cycle.
In his rebuttal, Atiku urged the PDP leader to focus his advice on President Tinubu, encouraging him to reconsider the policies that are negatively impacting the lives of Nigerians, rather than speculating on Atiku’s political aspirations.
A statement from his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, conveyed, “We must not jump the gun. Atiku Abubakar’s priority right now is not the year 2027. His focus is on the immediate issues at hand, particularly in 2024.”
“It encompasses the challenges of 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His primary concern is for the Nigerians who are enduring extreme hardships due to the ineffective trial-and-error policies of this government.”
“The average Nigerian is struggling to cope with the overwhelming difficulties brought about by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”
“It is inappropriate to discuss 2027 when the outcomes of the 2023 mandate have yet to provide any significant benefits for a populace that is increasingly worse off in all aspects of life.”
“Atiku believes that Bode George should redirect his efforts toward advising Tinubu to rethink some of his misguided policies that have exacerbated poverty and division within our nation, rather than fixating on the politics of 2027.”
