Atiku Vows to Accept Defeat If Younger Aspirant Wins ADC Ticket

A New Political Dawn? Atiku Prioritizes Youth in ADC Ahead of 2027 Polls, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has signaled a significant shift in his approach to the 2027 Nigerian Presidential election. In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Abubakar declared that he would willingly step down and support a younger candidate if that aspirant defeats him to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.

This statement comes at a crucial time, following the political veteran’s recent resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His commitment to mentoring a successful younger aspirant highlights the ADC’s stated priority for youth and women in leadership roles a core tenet that appears to align with Abubakar’s current vision for national leadership.

Speaking on his potential umpteenth run for the presidency, Atiku, who will be 81 by the time the 2027 general elections roll around, was pragmatic.

“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that,” Abubakar stated. He further pledged to support and mentor such a winner, emphasizing that establishing the party and gaining a strong following are currently the paramount goals. This posture introduces a new dynamic into the political landscape, suggesting a willingness to pass the torch, provided the successor emerges through a fair, internal contest.

Abubakar, who was the PDP’s standard-bearer in the 2023 election, confirmed he left the party in July 2025 due to deepening internal crises. He accused the PDP of straying from its founding ideals, further alleging that moles from the All Progressives Party (APC) had successfully infiltrated and destabilized the opposition.

“The crises in PDP were growing, and the hope of resolving it was speedily vanishing because the government was allegedly using some senior members of the party to destabilize the party further,” he explained.

Now, with his focus squarely on the ADC, Abubakar and his allies are concentrating on establishing and strengthening the party structures at the state and local government levels to ensure they are fully prepared to challenge the incumbent government in 2027. This new political home promises to test the commitment of established politicians to youth empowerment, starting right at the top of the presidential aspirant list.