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Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians not to mistake political defections for popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office following the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party would face a daunting task persuading Nigerians to vote for them in 2027.
He said the next general election would be a straight contest between Tinubu and the APC on one side, and the Nigerian people on the other.
According to Atiku, political realignments are not new in the country’s democratic journey, urging citizens not to confuse cross-carpeting with genuine grassroots support.
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027, hunger, hardship or hopelessness?” he asked.
He reminded Nigerians that power ultimately resides with them and cautioned against vote-selling.
“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say and their will shall prevail,” he said.
The former vice president maintained that every politician is free to choose his or her political path, adding that even his children are entitled to hold independent views.
“However, anyone, including my son, who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is standing on the side of patriotism,” he stated.
Atiku further argued that the recent wave of defections by opposition governors should not be interpreted as a sign of the APC’s strength, but rather as evidence of pressure and intimidation.
He accused the Tinubu-led administration of using state institutions to harass political opponents in what he described as an attempt to steer Nigeria towards a one-party state.
“This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” he said.
He added that no amount of coercion could erase the daily hardship faced by Nigerians, citing rising hunger, deepening poverty, worsening insecurity and mass unemployment, which he attributed to what he described as failed economic policies.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival,” he said.
