Pressure mounted was yesterday on Atiku Abubakar’s reported 2027 ambition as the Presidency and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike criticised his bid, while the APC ruled out automatic tickets, heightening tensions over zoning and candidate selection.

This came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he would not be deterred by critics or political pressure as he addressed members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, Tinubu said opposition would not derail his administration’s plans to reform the economy and reposition the country.

“They want to scare me off? That is a lie… if I have to go through it again, I will,” he said.

The President stated that his government remains focused on tackling poverty and expanding opportunities, while strengthening democratic values.

He also stressed the importance of adherence to the rule of law, urging respect for judicial authority.

“We cannot submit to the disobedience of lawful court orders… We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not,” he said.

Tinubu called on his supporters to promote unity and national cohesion, noting that progress depends on a shared vision.

“There is no other path to national greatness than building one country with a common vision,” he added.

On the economy, the President acknowledged existing challenges and said his administration is addressing structural issues.

“If something is wrong, we fix it and move on,” he said.

He said reforms would require effort and patience but expressed confidence in the outcome.

“The voyage is not easy… I will not run away from this fight,” he said.

Tinubu urged members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to strengthen grassroots engagement, describing them as a key part of national mobilisation.

“I will not give up. What we promised Nigerians, we will deliver,” he added.

Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Director-General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the movement had been reinvigorated by the President’s endorsement, describing members as “envoys” tasked with driving the reform message across communities.

He called for what he termed “political evangelism,” urging ambassadors to engage markets, youth groups and faith-based organisations to explain government policies and their long-term benefits.

“The success of his policies is our success. We must communicate these reforms in a unified and disciplined manner to every Nigerian,” he said.

Also, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, commended Tinubu’s leadership, pointing to ongoing infrastructure, energy and industrial projects as signs of a clear pathway to economic transformation.

He pledged continued party support, stressing the need for synergy between the APC and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

“As a party, we will stand by you and support policies that deliver good governance for Nigerians,” he said.

Governor Uba Sani, who is the Deputy Director-General of the movement, underscored the urgency of improving public communication of government achievements, warning that gaps in messaging were being exploited by the opposition.

“If we don’t tell our story, we should not blame the opposition when they tell it wrongly,” he said, citing improved security and the return of farmers to previously unsafe areas in Kaduna as examples of progress that require amplification.

On his part, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Secretary of the movement, called for better coordination between state governments and the ambassadors, describing governors as “foot soldiers” of the President’s agenda.

Presidency insists zoning favours South, warns against 2027 bid
The Presidency pushed back on indications that the former vice president may seek the presidency, maintaining that Nigeria’s North-South power rotation principle favours the South.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a post on his verified X account that Atiku’s reported ambition is “self-serving” and conflicts with a political convention he argued has supported democratic stability since 1999.

Responding to comments attributed to Atiku in a recent television interview, in which the former vice president indicated a final presidential bid in 2027, Onanuga said such a move would weaken the zoning arrangement that rotates power between the North and South.

“This Atiku will never learn,” he wrote, adding that the move would disrupt what he described as a stabilising national consensus.

Atiku, identified as a leading contender for the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he would contest the presidency one last time in 2027, reviving debate over zoning and succession.

Onanuga recalled that during the 2023 election cycle, Atiku, then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, contested to succeed a fellow northerner, a decision he said widened divisions within the party and contributed to its defeat.

“His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls,” he said, adding that a similar approach could result in “another failure” in 2027.

The presidential aide also dismissed Atiku’s position that zoning should not apply because the South has held power longer since 1999, describing the argument as “dubious political arithmetic”.

He said the perceived imbalance followed exceptional circumstances, including the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which led to the succession of his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.

Onanuga maintained that such an occurrence does not invalidate the informal power-sharing arrangement.

He added that after the completion of two terms by former President Muhammadu Buhari, it is equitable for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete his tenure.

“Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own,” he said.

Onanuga urged Atiku to drop any 2027 ambition, warning that another presidential bid would end in a “spectacular failure”.

Wike dismisses Atiku’s 2027 chances, backs APC to retain power
WIKE said the 2027 presidential contest is “not available” to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, expressing confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain power.

The FCT Minister spoke to journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, where he also responded to recent criticisms of the Federal Government by Atiku.

He described the former vice president as a “serial opposition figure” and said his comments should be viewed in that context.

“What do you expect to hear? Atiku is a serial failure,” Wike said, adding that Nigerians would assess performance based on visible development, particularly in Abuja.

The minister urged comparisons between the condition of the FCT in previous years and ongoing infrastructure projects under the current administration.

He also dismissed the growing profile of the African Democratic Congress, stating that the party lacks the nationwide structure and electoral strength to challenge established parties.

Wike questioned the capacity of prominent figures within the party, including former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, to secure electoral victories in their respective states.

“Take Rivers State, for example. Are we saying Amaechi can deliver the state to ADC? That is not possible,” he said, adding that political strength depends on grassroots support.

He further said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite its internal challenges, remains a stronger opposition platform than the ADC.

Reacting to allegations by ADC members that the FCT Administration attempted to frustrate the party’s convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, Wike denied any involvement.

“I don’t even know where the place is. Let them provide evidence of any application or interference. We have nothing to do with their convention,” he said.

He added that access to public facilities in the FCT follows due process and is open to all groups that comply with established procedures, noting that his office would review the claims and act if required.

Wike reiterated confidence in the APC’s prospects in the next general election and said opposition parties should strengthen their internal structures.

Atiku aide accuses presidency of stifling opposition over 2027 debate
HOWEVER, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, has accused the Presidency of attempting to subvert democracy and silence dissenting voices amid the growing debate over the 2027 election.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday, Shaibu criticised comments by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, arguing that no aide has the authority to determine constitutional provisions or restrict political participation.

“Dear @aonanuga1956, let me tell you clearly: no presidential aide, no matter how loud or reckless, has the authority to rewrite the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or reduce democracy to a regional entitlement scheme,” he wrote.

He added that power rotation remains a political convention rather than a constitutional requirement and should not be used to limit opposition participation.

Shaibu described recent remarks from the Presidency as an attempt to pressure opposition figures, stating: “This tired attempt to bully @atiku out of the race reeks of fear, not principle.”

He also dismissed arguments linking the 2023 presidential election outcome to zoning, alleging that the process was affected by irregularities.

“First, the 2023 election was not lost because of zoning… So spare us the revisionist history,” he said.

On references to former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in the zoning debate, Shaibu said such comparisons were inappropriate, describing them as politicising a national tragedy.

He further rejected claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must complete two terms, stating: “Presidents are not crowned for eight years, they are elected, and they can be voted out.”

Shaibu said political authority rests with citizens rather than informal arrangements, adding that Nigerians would ultimately determine the country’s leadership.

He also responded to comments concerning Peter Obi and reported opposition alignments, suggesting that such claims reflected concern within the ruling camp.

“That line about @PeterObi ‘bolting out’ of ADC is nothing but panic speaking,” he said.

Shaibu concluded by affirming Atiku’s right to contest in 2027, stating that the decision would rest with voters.