Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday said the 2027 general election would be a direct contest between President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress on one hand, and Nigerians on the other.
Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, stated this while reacting to the reported defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, noting that political realignments were not unusual in the country’s democratic process.
In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Friday, the former presidential candidate said politicians were free to choose their affiliations, adding that he respected such decisions.
He, however, maintained that anyone who chose to align with the Nigerian people rather than the ruling party was demonstrating patriotism.
Atiku alleged that the recent wave of defections by opposition figures did not reflect the strength of the APC but was the result of pressure and intimidation, accusing the administration of deploying state institutions against perceived opponents in a bid to entrench a one-party system.
According to him, the government was apprehensive of accountability, credible elections and the electorate.
The former Vice President said the hardship facing citizens — including hunger, poverty, insecurity and unemployment — could not be obscured by political defections, which he attributed to personal survival by public office holders.
“Governors may defect for personal survival, but Nigerians are shifting in their millions in search of survival,” he said.
He cautioned citizens against equating cross-carpeting with popularity, querying what achievements the ruling party would campaign on in the next election cycle.
Atiku also urged voters not to sell their votes, stressing that sovereignty ultimately resided with the people.
“Do not trade your future or mortgage the destiny of your children. In 2027, Nigerians will decide, and their will shall prevail,” he added.
The statement was signed by the Atiku Media Office and dated February 27, 2026.
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