2027 Election: Has Atiku Finally Retired from Active Politics? Fact Emerges
- Atiku Abubakar has quashed rumours of quitting active politics amidst allegations of confusion by anti-democratic elements
- The former vice president emphasised the importance of formal communication over misleading social media claims
- Atiku has been a prominent political figure and perennial candidate, having been on the ballot as a presidential contestant in at least six attempts
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - Ahead of the 2027 elections, opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has accused "anti-democratic elements" of attempting to create confusion and dampen the momentum of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to a statement by Atiku's media office on Monday, March 30, obtained by Legit.ng, the former Vice President said insinuations that he has quit active politics are fake news.
Source: Twitter
Atiku says still a presidential aspirant
The statement reads:
"We wish to state, for the record, that information circulating on social media about a purported meeting of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in which the former Vice President allegedly decided to “step aside and retire from active politics,” is entirely false and deliberately misleading.
"The Waziri Adamawa has not in recent times held any such meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level. The only recent engagement he had was with stakeholders of the ADC in Adamawa State last Thursday.
"An issue as fundamental and consequential as exiting active politics cannot, and would never, be communicated through rumours, faceless sources, or third-party fabrication. Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office."
The full statement can be read below in this X post:
Atiku faces seventh presidential attempt
Adamawa-born Atiku has always had an appetite for big battles.
During his tenure as Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007, Atiku opposed the wave of adoption of Islamic law across parts of the country’s Muslim-majority north, the highest-profile Muslim politician from the region to do so.
He also backed opposition to a bill to amend the constitution and elongate the tenure of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, a move that would scuttle Atiku’s ambition to succeed his boss.
Source: Facebook
This 2026, Atiku faces one of the biggest battles of his political career: securing the ADC presidential ticket in a party revitalised in 2025. If he emerges as the party's presidential flagbearer, it is the 79-year-old’s record seventh attempt to occupy the highest office in the land, with four of his previous losses coming at primaries.
'Stop asking Atiku to retire' - Analyst
Meanwhile, a public affairs analyst, Segun Akinleye, has dismissed calls for Atiku to step aside ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that democracy cannot grow if experienced leaders are pushed out of the field out of fear.
In a chat with Legit.ng, Akinleye said those agitating for Atiku’s retirement are not defending democracy but running from it. He insisted that the only way to test leadership capacity, whether from veterans like Atiku or personalities like Peter Obi, is through transparent, competitive primaries.
Akinleye stated:
“The 2027 race should not be a coronation arranged in backrooms. It should be a contest before the people. If Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso or anyone else believes they can do better, let them prove it at the ballot. That is how democracies mature, through open competition, not shortcuts."
Read more on Atiku Abubakar:
- Cleric releases 2026 prophecies, seeks prayers for Atiku, VeryDarkMan as full message emerges
- 2027 election: Peter Obi predicted to align with Tinubu, "he will never agree to work with the coalition"
- Atiku clarifies encounter with APC’s Yari in Abuja as ex-VP sets sights on sacking Tinubu
Atiku slams President Tinubu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Atiku said the future of Nigerians has been "effectively mortgaged" to President Bola Tinubu, his family, and associates.
The opposition leader compared Tinubu's alleged integration of his business interests into Lagos's public enterprises to his purported efforts at the federal level.
Source: Legit.ng
