Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, has drawn the anger of the National Democratic Coalition and other opposition groups over statements he made about the 2027 presidential election.
The criticism erupted after Atiku made claims regarding the forthcoming election, though the exact nature of his statements was not immediately clear from available reports. What became clear, however, was that his comments touched a raw nerve among opposition figures who have their own plans and ambitions for 2027.
The NDC led the charge against Atiku, accusing him of overstepping or making pronouncements that do not reflect the collective position of the broader opposition movement. Other opposition parties joined in, signalling that Atiku's remarks had caused tension within the coalition of groups that have been positioning themselves as alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atiku, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2019 and 2023 as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, remains a significant figure in Nigerian politics despite his electoral losses. His comments on 2027, whenever they may have been made, suggest he is already thinking ahead to the next election cycle, a move that appears to have upset others with similar aspirations.
The timing of the criticism is significant, coming as opposition parties are still regrouping after their defeat in the 2023 election and attempting to forge stronger alliances for future contests. Some opposition figures likely view Atiku as a potential rival or as someone whose statements could complicate their own positioning.
