The Presidency is afraid of Atiku, the former Vice President’s camp says

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s camp has hit back at the presidency over attempts to reject his emergence as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, saying the ruling government’s reaction reflects growing anxiety ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, said the speed and intensity of attacks from the Presidency shortly after the ADC primaries exposed what he described as unease within the corridors of power.

According to him, a government that was truly satisfied with its performance would not be busy discrediting opposition figures just hours after the party primaries.

“The fact is that Nigerians themselves – not presidential spokesmen – will determine in 2027 who will be a threat to whom. And right now, millions of Nigerians struggling with hunger, insecurity, unemployment and economic despair already know that this country cannot continue on this disastrous path,” he said.

Shaibu also rejected claims by the Presidency that the ADC coalition was merely an alliance of disgruntled politicians seeking relevance, and asserted that the movement was driven by widespread public frustration over deteriorating living conditions across the country.

He argues that ordinary Nigerians, not political elites, constitute the backbone of the growing opposition to the current government.

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“Nigerians are not angry because politicians have lost power; Nigerians are angry because families can no longer afford food, businesses are going bankrupt, farmers cannot safely access their land, and kidnapping has become a national industry under this administration’s watch,” he added.

“No amount of dismissive rhetoric can erase the fact that this administration has presided over one of the most violent periods in this country’s history.

“The Presidency may pretend not to see the impending storm, but history has repeatedly shown that governments often mistake silence caused by suffering for acceptance – until election day delivers a rude awakening.”

The denial follows comments by presidential aides and APC officials who dismissed Atiku’s emergence as politically inconsequential, and insisted that President Bola Tinubu remains in control ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, Atiku’s camp also clarified the former Vice President’s recent visit to former governor of Rivers State and fellow ADC aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, at his residence in Abuja.

The meeting came less than 24 hours after Atiku won the ADC presidential ticket in a contest that raised tensions within the party following allegations of irregularities by some presidential aspirants.

Atiku’s publisher and political associate, Dele Momodu, has revealed details of the visit in an Instagram post, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen unity within the ADC following the contentious primaries.

“In an effort to unite the ranks of the party following the ADC presidential primaries, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders visited His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi at his residence in Abuja for strategic consultations,” Momodu wrote.

Providing further explanation, Shaibu described the meeting as a statesmanlike consultation between two senior political figures who were concerned about the deteriorating situation in the country.

“It was a purely fraternal and statesmanlike meeting between two leaders who share the same concerns regarding the country’s deteriorating condition and the urgent need for patriotic engagement at a critical time in our national life,” he said.

He added that Atiku also used this opportunity to celebrate Amaechi on his birthday while the two discussed the major national challenges facing the country.

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar used this opportunity to wish Chief Rotimi Amaechi a happy birthday and also exchange views on national issues, particularly the economy, insecurity and the broader future of Nigeria,” he added.

According to Shaibu, discussions at the meeting also focused on strengthening ADC’s internal cohesion following the conclusion of the party’s presidential primaries.

“Atiku emphasized in the meeting that Nigeria’s progress and the collective task of solving the various problems facing the nation is far more important than who wins or loses in the party primaries. He reminded all stakeholders that, ultimately, they are all winners united by a common goal to save Nigeria and rebuild hope for the Nigerian people,” he said.

Political analysts interpreted the meeting as an initial reconciliation effort aimed at consolidating support within the ADC as preparations for the highly competitive 2027 presidential election intensify.