Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the 2027 general election will be a direct contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Nigerian people, insisting that a wave of defections into the party does not amount to genuine public support.
Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, made the remarks on Friday through a statement issued by his media office while reacting to the defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the APC.
Fintiri had earlier announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party in a 14-minute statewide broadcast, describing the move as being in the developmental interest of Adamawa State. He said he joined the APC alongside his cabinet members, PDP officials, and supporters across the state’s 226 wards and 21 local government areas. He was subsequently registered as a member of the party.
Ahead of the governor’s defection, 15 of the 16 PDP members in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Bathiya Wesley, had also switched to the APC.
Responding, Atiku said political realignments were not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic history and that politicians were free to make personal choices. He added that even members of his family were entitled to independent political views.
“Every politician is free to choose a path. He respects that right. He added that even his children are free to take independent political positions. However, anyone including his son who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is standing on the side of patriotism,” the statement read.
The former vice president described the recent defections by opposition governors as products of pressure and intimidation, rather than signs of political strength. He accused the administration of Bola Tinubu of using state institutions to harass opponents in what he termed an attempt to edge Nigeria toward a one-party state.
According to him, the government is wary of accountability, credible elections and the will of the people.
Atiku argued that political cross-carpeting could not erase what he described as the daily struggles of Nigerians, citing rising hunger, poverty, insecurity and unemployment.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival,” he said.
He cautioned citizens against mistaking defections for popularity and questioned what the APC would present as its achievements in the next election cycle.
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?” he asked.
Atiku further urged Nigerians to remember that sovereignty ultimately rests with the people and warned against vote-selling ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say — and their will shall prevail,” he said.
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