Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a campaign targeting 20 million votes in the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, inaugurating state campaign coordinators in Abuja. The initiative, part of his African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign, emphasizes youth engagement and a rejection of vote-buying, with Atiku urging Nigerians to prioritize competence over material incentives. During the event, Atiku also reiterated his stance that he is not contesting for office privileges, highlighting his focus on political integrity.
Atiku’s campaign has drawn renewed criticism from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has called his selection as a running mate in the 1999 election the greatest mistake of his presidency. In response, Atiku has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he supported Obasanjo even after his imprisonment. The feud between the two former leaders has intensified, with Obasanjo recently accusing Atiku of opposing his third-term agenda, a move Atiku has defended by stating he had no apology for stopping it. Political analysts suggest the rivalry could continue until one of them passes away, according to a prominent commentator.
