Presidency is afraid of Atiku, says ex-VP’s camp

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at the Presidency over attempts to dismiss 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’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the speed and intensity of attacks from the Presidency shortly after the ADC primary exposed what he described as nervousness within the corridors of power.

According to him, an administration genuinely satisfied with its performance would not be preoccupied with discrediting opposition figures barely hours after a party primary.

“The truth is that Nigerians themselves — not presidential spokesmen — will determine in 2027 who poses a threat to whom. And today, millions of Nigerians battling hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and economic despair already know that the country cannot continue on this disastrous path,” he stated.

Shaibu also rejected claims by the Presidency that the ADC coalition was simply an alliance of disgruntled politicians seeking relevance, insisting that the movement was being driven by widespread public frustration over worsening living conditions across the country.

He argued that ordinary Nigerians, rather than political elites, formed the backbone of the growing opposition against the current administration.

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“Nigerians are not angry because politicians lost power; Nigerians are angry because families can no longer afford food, businesses are collapsing, farmers cannot safely access their lands, 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 government has presided over one of the harshest periods in the nation’s history.

“The Presidency may pretend not to see the gathering storm, but history has repeatedly shown that governments often mistake silence borne out of suffering for acceptance — until election day delivers a rude awakening.”

The rebuttal followed comments by presidential aides and APC officials who had dismissed Atiku’s emergence as politically insignificant, insisting that President Bola Tinubu remained firmly in control ahead of the next electoral cycle.

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

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

Publisher and political associate of Atiku, Dele Momodu, had disclosed details of the visit in an Instagram post, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen unity within the ADC after the contentious primary.

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

Providing further explanation, Shaibu described the engagement as a statesmanlike consultation between two senior political figures concerned about the country’s worsening situation.

“It was purely a brotherly and statesman-like meeting between two leaders who share a common concern about the worsening condition of the country and the urgent need for patriotic engagement at this critical time in our national life,” he said.

He added that Atiku also used the opportunity to celebrate Amaechi on his birthday while both men discussed major national challenges confronting the country.

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

According to Shaibu, discussions during the meeting also focused on strengthening internal cohesion within the ADC after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary.

“Atiku emphasised during the meeting that the progress of Nigeria and the collective task of solving the myriad problems confronting the nation are far more important than who won or lost the party primaries. He reminded all stakeholders that, ultimately, they are all winners united by a common objective of rescuing Nigeria and rebuilding hope for Nigerians,” he said.

Political analysts have since interpreted the meeting as an early reconciliation effort aimed at consolidating support within the ADC as preparations intensify for what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive 2027 presidential contest.

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