2027: Atiku Faces Fresh APC Attacks as Opposition Battle Intensifies
By Akin Alade
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential bid is facing intensified scrutiny from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party questioning both the motivation behind his latest ambition and key aspects of his political record.
The latest criticism came from the Lagos State APC, which questioned Atiku’s decision to make another presidential attempt after several previous contests. The party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, argued that Atiku’s description of 2027 as his “last attempt” raises questions about whether the bid is primarily driven by a national agenda or personal ambition.
The criticism comes as Atiku, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), prepares for another presidential contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other opposition contenders.
But the APC’s challenge extends beyond the question of ambition. In recent days, the party’s presidential campaign council has also attacked Atiku over controversies surrounding the Mambilla hydropower project, while Atiku’s camp has rejected the allegations.
The ruling party has also questioned the legal and financial framework behind Atiku’s proposal for a targeted petrol subsidy, demanding details on its funding, implementation and relationship with the Petroleum Industry Act.
These exchanges are gradually shifting the 2027 political contest from personalities alone to questions about policy, political records, coalition-building and competing visions for Nigeria.
Atiku’s latest bid also comes against the backdrop of a fragmented opposition landscape. His emergence on the ADC platform followed the formation of a broader opposition coalition, but disagreements over candidates, zoning and strategy continue to shape the political environment ahead of the election.
For the former vice president, the central challenge is therefore not merely securing another presidential nomination, but convincing voters that his latest campaign offers a distinct programme for addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges.
For the APC, meanwhile, the strategy is increasingly centred on scrutinising Atiku’s record and questioning the rationale behind another presidential bid.
As campaigns gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the emerging battle suggests that Atiku’s political history, policy proposals and reasons for seeking the presidency again will remain major issues in the contest.
The ultimate debate, however, will be decided by Nigerians through the electoral process, with competing parties expected to present their records, policies and programmes for public scrutiny.
