Atiku Says 2027 Will Be His Last Presidential Bid If He Loses

African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that he will not seek the presidency again should he fail to win the 2027 election.

Speaking in an interview conducted in Hausa on Wednesday, Atiku responded to a question about whether he would make another attempt at the presidency if defeated next year. “No, I have said it before, right from this election, I will not contest again,” he said.

The former Vice President, who has run for president multiple times in his political career, called on Nigerians holding Permanent Voter Cards to turn out and vote in 2027. He urged voters not only to cast their ballots but to remain at polling units afterward to ensure the votes are properly counted, describing this as key to resolving the challenges facing the country.

On questions about his health and capacity to lead Nigeria, Atiku maintained that he remains fit for the task. He said no doctor has ever declared him medically unfit and insisted he has no health defects.

Responding to his remarks, the ADC Vanguard, a support group for the party, said in a post on X that Atiku’s statement carried deep significance, noting that Nigerians may not get another chance to see an Atiku presidency tested. The group described his political career as one that has spanned decades, marked by repeated attempts, losses, and comebacks, and suggested that 2027 could mark the final chapter of a journey that has run through most of Nigeria’s democratic history.

The group further argued that Atiku’s experience should weigh on voters’ minds given the country’s current economic and security difficulties, calling next year’s election potentially his last opportunity to be judged on performance in office rather than campaign promises. “If 2027 truly is his last attempt, then it should not be treated like just another election,” the group said.