Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the upcoming 2027 general elections will be a key test of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and performance since taking office.
This statement came through Atiku’s media aide, Mazi Paul Ibe, who responded to recent claims from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a conversation with Vanguard on Monday night in Abuja.
The APC had earlier accused Atiku of trying to restructure and strengthen the opposition purely for his own political gain. The party claimed the former vice president was only interested in regaining access to public funds. In response, Ibe dismissed these accusations and said that Atiku’s political activities are based on Nigerians’ growing desire for real change and a better life.
“It’s clear that these people were never prepared for governance. All they’re interested in is politics,” Ibe said, criticizing the APC’s focus on attacking opposition figures instead of solving the country’s many problems. “They’ve gone to extreme lengths to ensure the demise of progress. Every action they’ve taken contradicts the very essence of democracy,” he added.
Ibe also criticized the slow progress of major infrastructure projects, using a road project as an example. He said that only 30 kilometres out of a planned 700-kilometre road had been completed in two years, yet the government still celebrated it. “They rolled out all the drums and celebrated completing a mere 4% of the project. Isn’t that absurd?” he asked.
He pointed out that the country’s economy has continued to worsen under the current administration. According to him, Nigeria now leads Africa in child malnutrition and is considered the world’s poverty capital. He shared that many Nigerians are struggling so much that they cannot afford basic celebrations. “People are hungry. For the first time, even those who can afford to buy a ram for Eid can be counted on one hand,” he said.
Ibe firmly rejected claims that Atiku’s political moves are for personal benefit. “His Excellency’s efforts are driven by Nigerians’ yearnings for a better life, not because he wants to regain access to state resources. Absolutely not,” he insisted.
He also defended Atiku’s long-standing business record and said that the former vice president has created jobs, run businesses successfully, and funded his political campaigns with his own money. “Atiku has run multi-million-dollar businesses, employed people, and invested his own resources into his campaigns. He’s not looking to exploit state funds like they are,” Ibe stated.
He urged the APC to focus on governance and the people’s welfare rather than monitoring Atiku’s every move. “It’s time they used the remainder of their term to focus on improving Nigerians’ lives instead of obsessing over what Atiku Abubakar is or isn’t doing,” he said.
Ibe ended by saying that the 2027 election will be a turning point. “The next election will be between Tinubu and the rest of Nigeria,” he concluded.
