Atiku: ADC On A Rescue Mission; I Will Not Step Aside

Former vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is on a rescue mission to deliver the country from the mismanagement of the APC-led government, saying no amount of intrigues and intimidation can stop it.

The former number two citizen of the country, who is also an aspirant under the ADC said all efforts by the administration to make the country a one party state will also fail, adding that some forces aligned with the administration were out to destabilise the party.

According to him, one of such undue interference in the affairs of the ADC by some forces allegedly working for the current government, is to try to influence  who becomes the presidential candidate of the ADC in 2027, noting that the ruling party is out to cripple the ADC which many Nigerians are looking up to “as the nucleus of a credible national alternative.”

Abubakar made the remark in a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe on Tuesday, accusing the administration of Bola Tinubu of executing policies capable of ‘shrinking democratic” space in the country.

The former PDP presidential candidate also said all effort targeted to make him step aside from contesting the ADC ticket will amount to nothing, saying rather the Tinubu administration ought to “step aside” for mismanaging the country, adding that the ADC has an internal mechanism to chose those who emerge as its candidates in the next election, warning interlopers to leave the party alone.

Part of the statement: “Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to “step aside” is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.

“The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer. APC proxies and external meddlers have no standing to intimidate, blackmail, or sabotage this democratic resolve.

“At present, the ADC is focused on building strong ward, local government, and state structures nationwide. Disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference.

“The party remains open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures. This inclusiveness—not coercion—is the soul of democracy.

“When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability.

“The recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, the political heartbeat of the Southeast, triggered open boasts by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the party. Their fear is evident.

“Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission,” Abubakar noted.