Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Friday said the 2027 general election would be a straight contest between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nigerians, saying political defections will not translate into genuine public support for the ruling party.
Atiku made the declaration in a statement issued by his media office, while reacting to the defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the APC.
Fintiri had announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on Friday morning in a 14-minute statewide broadcast, saying the decision was taken in the developmental interest of Adamawa State.
Reacting, Atiku said political realignments were not new and that every politician was free to choose a path, adding that even members of his own family were entitled to independent political positions.
The statement read, “Every politician is free to choose a path. He respects that right. He added that even his children are free to take independent political positions. However, anyone — including his son — who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is standing on the side of patriotism.”
Atiku described the wave of defections by opposition governors as evidence of pressure and intimidation rather than a sign of strength, accusing the Tinubu administration of weaponising state institutions to bully political opponents in what he called a bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
He said no amount of coercion could erase the daily hardship Nigerians face, citing what he described as rising hunger, crushing poverty, worsening insecurity and mass unemployment caused by failed economic policies.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival,” Atiku said.
He urged citizens not to equate political cross-carpeting with popularity, questioning what the APC would campaign on in 2027.
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?” he asked.
Atiku reminded Nigerians that political power ultimately belonged to them and urged them against vote-selling.
“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say — and their will shall prevail,” he said.
