By Abubakar Yunusa
A group, Concerned Nigerians for Democratic Sustainability, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that another bid could further weaken opposition politics in the country.
The group said Nigeria was at a critical democratic stage where leadership transition, generational renewal and the future of opposition politics must be openly discussed.
In a statement issued by its Coordinator, Ambassador Mukhtar Garba, the organisation said Atiku must decide whether he wanted to be remembered as a statesman who contributed to rebuilding democracy or as a perennial presidential aspirant.
Garba said Atiku’s reported preparation for what could become his seventh presidential contest reflected a deeper crisis within Nigeria’s political system, where older politicians continued to dominate the political space.
“At 79 years old and reportedly preparing for what would be his seventh presidential contest, Atiku represents not merely an individual ambition but a troubling symbol of Nigeria’s refusal to allow political transition and leadership succession within the opposition space,” he said.
The group argued that while every Nigerian had a constitutional right to seek office, democracy could not thrive when the same political figures remained dominant for decades.
It further alleged that opposition coalitions involving Atiku had repeatedly suffered internal divisions, personality clashes and fragmentation during election cycles.
According to the statement, unresolved ambitions within the Peoples Democratic Party before the 2023 elections weakened the opposition’s chances of presenting a united front.
The organisation also expressed concern that opposition parties were focusing on personal ambitions instead of addressing economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and inflation confronting Nigerians.
It added that coalition efforts such as the African Democratic Congress should focus on building broad national support across ethnic, religious and generational lines.
Garba stressed the need for younger Nigerians to be given greater opportunities in leadership, noting that many citizens who were not born when Atiku first contested for office were now facing unemployment and political frustration.
He said continued dominance by older politicians risked alienating younger citizens and delaying the emergence of fresh ideas in governance.
The group maintained that Atiku was better positioned to serve as a mentor and consensus builder rather than remain an active presidential contender.
“This is the time for statesmanship, not another serial candidacy,” the statement added.
