2027: ATIKU MUST STAY IN RACE TO CHALLENGE TINUBU

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has warned that the opposition’s momentum would collapse if the former Vice President withdraws from the 2027 presidential race.

Olarewaju, in a post on X on Tuesday, maintained that Atiku is currently the only opposition candidate demonstrating the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu both domestically and internationally.

He argued that Atiku’s role in the 2027 contest extends beyond his personal presidential ambition, describing him as a bridge for building and sustaining a strong opposition bloc beyond the election.

According to him, an election featuring an incumbent president is significantly different from a transition election, making Atiku’s continued participation crucial to the opposition’s prospects.

“2027 is beyond Atiku. Atiku himself is the bridge for us to build and hold an opposition core, post-2027,” Olarewaju stated.

He urged political actors to prepare for the 2027 contest, stressing that every election comes with its own unique dynamics.

Olarewaju also offered his assessment of the 2023 presidential election, claiming that former President Muhammadu Buhari was not sufficiently committed to ensuring Tinubu’s victory.

He alleged that this contributed to the APC’s loss in Lagos and allowed what he described as widespread electoral manipulation in several states.