Atiku Faces Pressure as Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Sweeps ADC Ahead of 2027

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar faces mounting pressure to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition. This comes as the Kwankwassiyya movement, led by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the Obidient movement, loyal to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, openly forge an alliance ahead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election. Their combined force aims to present a formidable joint ticket, pushing Atiku to the sidelines.

While Atiku's camp, spearheaded by Dele Momodu, actively pushes for an Atiku/Obi ticket, many within the party are rooting for Obi and Kwankwaso to fly the ADC flag in the much-anticipated election. Political strategists remain divided; some insist the ADC cannot win without Peter Obi as the presidential candidate, while others argue Atiku's extensive experience and potential to garner votes from the North make him indispensable.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly champions the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket, advocating for a unified opposition against President Bola Tinubu. Insiders reveal the renewed push for the Obi/Kwankwaso alliance aims to weaken Atiku's grip on the opposition and prevent a repeat of the fragmented 2023 contest. ADC leaders, from both Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria, are currently pressing Atiku to step down for a younger generation of leaders.

Calls for Generational Shift Echo

Some party bigwigs are covertly reaching out to the former Vice President, while others publicly voice their stance. Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, recently stated on national television that Atiku should give way for younger aspirants. Umeh acknowledged Atiku as a respected figure who has contested the presidency since 2003, but insisted it is time for a fresh approach.

Similarly, popular media analyst Jimi Disu predicts President Tinubu will secure victory if the ADC fields Atiku. Disu suggests Atiku would become a national hero if he agrees to step aside for a younger candidate.

“Atiku would be a hero if he steps aside, it doesn’t have to be him. If it’s Atiku versus Tinubu in 2027, I can already predict the result,” Disu declared.

Despite the growing calls, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), maintains that no other aspirant in the ADC can match his electoral strength, particularly in the Northern Region. He argues Kwankwaso no longer dominates Kano State, which he claims is now split between Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Yusuf. However, Atiku has publicly pledged his support for any democratically-emerging consensus candidate, stating he will step aside for any winner, including Obi, should he emerge.

The Joint Movement Solidifies

Supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, operating under the newly launched Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, are actively collaborating to ensure no other aspirant clinches the ADC's presidential ticket. Habibu Mohammad, spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, expresses strong optimism that Obi and Kwankwaso will emerge as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the ADC.

Mohammad confirms the movements are working together, with ongoing discussions to achieve their common goal. He asserts that Kwankwaso is willing to get involved in any legitimate effort to unseat President Tinubu, even agreeing to deputize Obi. Mohammad also indicates the upcoming primary election will not rely on a traditional delegate system, explaining that the Kwankwassiyya and Obidient movements are aligning forces to counter those who might attempt to use money to influence the outcome. He concludes by urging Atiku to embrace a paternal role, allowing the younger generation to lead while maintaining the respect he deserves.

A Divided House Ahead of Primaries

The intensifying battle for the ADC presidential ticket has triggered significant division among supporters. While backers of the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket rally on one side, Atiku Abubakar’s loyalists stand firmly on the other. AbdulAziz Na’ibi Abubakar, a prominent online supporter of Atiku, recently threatened a nationwide protest if Atiku steps down for any other aspirant. He insists Nigerians will not settle for missing another chance at good governance and true democracy.

This declaration provoked a strong backlash, particularly from Obi-Kwankwaso supporters, who vehemently rejected AbdulAziz’s view, asserting that the ADC can only win with Obi on the ballot. Further complicating matters, the Arewa Source posted on X, claiming Peter Obi’s supporters are his biggest enemies. The post declared, “The North will reject any ticket with Peter Obi on the ballot. Insulting Atiku Abubakar is the same as insulting the whole of Northern Nigeria.” Amidst the escalating media war, ADC chieftain Austin Okai calls for an immediate halt to exchanges between the rival camps, warning that such rhetoric could deepen political tensions ahead of the crucial elections.