Atiku Abubakar, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared he will support any candidate who emerges as the party's presidential nominee in the 2027 election. In an interview with DW Hausa, Atiku stated the ADC's internal contest includes three or four aspirants, far fewer than the more than ten who ran for the PDP ticket in the past. He dismissed concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could weaken the party, pointing to growing membership across Nigeria.
Atiku emphasized that young people now dominate ADC's candidate slate at all levels, from local councils to the National Assembly. "The youths have taken over the party," he said, adding that the party has always positioned itself as one for youths and women. When asked if he would back a young presidential candidate, he responded, "Yes, why not." He reflected on his personal journey, saying, "Allah has done everything for me. I have brought my sons and grandchildren home. What will be their future and that of their children?"
Atiku Abubakar positioning himself as a kingmaker rather than a candidate signals a strategic retreat from the glare of presidential ambition, at least publicly. His endorsement of youth leadership rings hollow coming from a 77-year-old political veteran who has run for president seven times under different banners. The ADC remains a marginal player in Nigeria's electoral landscape, and Atiku's influence within it does little to shift the broader power dynamics dominated by the APC and PDP. For Nigerian youths, his words offer symbolism without a roadmap for real political access.
