Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the upcoming 2027 presidential election will not be a contest between political parties, but rather a battle between the Nigerian populace and the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku made this remark in a statement on Friday, addressing the recent surge of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alexa News Nigeria notes that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected from the PDP to the APC on Wednesday.
On the same day, Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the last election, also announced his switch to the APC.
In his response, Atiku emphasized that “freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy,” asserting that these rights are fundamental.
“Supporting a just and functional democratic society are its essential pillars: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. If any of these are weakened, democracy itself begins to falter.
As someone who firmly upholds these values, I hold no resentment towards anyone for choosing their political affiliations. Shifts in loyalty, alliances, and realignments are inherent to democratic politics. We have witnessed them in the past, and we will continue to see them in the future.
The former Vice President expressed disappointment over the insults directed at him following his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Let’s not distort history: Buhari is not just a former leader; he is a significant statesman in Nigeria’s political arena.
“During the opposition merger in 2013, the leaders of that time engaged in extensive consultations, including meetings with Obasanjo and Babangida. So why is it now considered unacceptable for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna? If you genuinely support freedom of association, you must respect the rights of all political figures to engage with one another, regardless of party affiliation,” he stated.
He emphasized that the upcoming election is not simply a contest between the APC and PDP or the LP and APC. Instead, it represents a struggle between Nigerians and an administration that has led the nation into unprecedented hardship. The economy is in a downward spiral.
“Inflation is suffocating the populace. Jobs are disappearing. Youth unrest is escalating to alarming levels. Nigerians are not just weary; they are justifiably angry.
“This moment is about our collective survival. Our true adversary is not each other, but the Tinubu administration’s profound failures. We must resist any attempts to divert our attention with ethnic, regional, or religious divisions.
“These are tools of manipulation, designed to distract us.”
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