ADC to APC: Nigerians, not Obasanjo, will decidae 2027 election outcomes

By Lateef Ibrahim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed suggestions that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s views on its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that Nigerians alone will decide who becomes the country’s next president.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of avoiding questions about its performance by focusing on Obasanjo’s comments about Atiku.
According to the ADC, the 2027 election will be influenced by the realities Nigerians face daily, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living, rather than the opinion of any political figure.
The party alleged that the APC shifted attention to Obasanjo’s remarks after the Catholic Bishops criticised the state of the nation during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Abdullahi said the ruling party had become preoccupied with Atiku instead of defending its record in office.
He further accused the APC of attacking critics whenever concerns are raised over worsening poverty, insecurity and declining public confidence, rather than providing solutions to the issues.
While acknowledging Obasanjo’s right to express his views, the ADC argued that the former president’s opinion does not diminish Atiku’s record as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, maintaining that Nigeria experienced stronger economic growth and greater investor confidence during that period.
The party also challenged the Federal Government to explain the continued rise in food prices, increasing poverty, unemployment, public debt and insecurity despite its claims of economic progress.
Reaffirming its position, the ADC maintained that the verdict in the 2027 presidential election would be delivered by millions of Nigerians based on their lived experiences under the current administration, not by the opinion of any individual.