Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his intention to contest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, saying he will not leave office for anyone.
Atiku's statement comes amid the ongoing debate on who will emerge as the party's presidential candidate following the recent announcement by the Labor Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that he is joining the ADC.
Obi's accession to the ADC is an important milestone, boosting the profile of the party.
Already, the party headed by former Senate President David Mark includes prominent figures such as former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
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The party's national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, recently told BusinessDay that ADC's presidential candidate would ideally emerge through consensus, but he said if consensus fails the candidate will proceed to primaries.
However, Atiku Abubakar said in a statement signed by his media advisor Paul Ibe, “The party is open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures,” adding that “this is inclusivity—not coercion—the soul of democracy.”
“When the time comes, all qualified candidates will freely present themselves. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step down, it is President Tinubu – whose leadership has become a national liability.”
He said that “For almost three years, Nigerians have endured one of the most difficult periods in recent history – an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Indeed, this administration has not only created massive hardships, but made a deliberate effort to eliminate political options. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state.
“Perhaps the most disturbing ‘achievement’ of the Tinubu administration has been the systematic weakening of the opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress alone by default despite its obvious failures, not on merit.
“Thankfully, patriotic leaders anticipated this threat and chose resistance rather than silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the center of a credible national alternative.”
Atiku accused the Presidency of infiltrating the party with agents to destabilize the ADC.
“Agents linked to the presidency are now attempting to destabilize the ADC from the outside – issuing reckless prescriptions regarding its internal affairs, particularly the choice of presidential candidate.
“Let it be said clearly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with other committed patriots, are at the center of this effort. Any overt or covert call for Atiku to 'step aside' is a gift of authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.
“The ADC has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to an open, transparent and competitive process to elect its flag bearer. APC proxies and external interveners have no ability to intimidate, blackmail or sabotage this democratic resolution.”
He said the party is focusing on building strong ward, local government and state structures across the country, stressing that “disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to carry out this essential work without interference.”
“The recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, the political heartbeat of the South-East, triggered open claims about a plan by a serving minister and associates of the President to weaken the party. Their fear is palpable.
“Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue or sabotage will derail this rescue mission.
“Nigeria will not give up its democracy without a fight.”
