Atiku, Step Aside! APC Fires Salvo: ‘Forget 2027, You’re Wasting Your Time

Atiku, Step Aside! APC Fires Salvo: ‘Forget 2027, You’re Wasting Your Time

The National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to reconsider their political plans ahead of the 2027 general elections……..READ MORE

Datti, in an open letter on Tuesday, urged Atiku to drop his ambition of contesting for president again, warning that it may be a waste of time and resources. He said Atiku, who has been running for the presidency since 1993, should now focus on playing the role of an elder statesman.

“You’re approaching 80, and your party may not even give you the ticket this time. It’s better you step aside and let others try,” Datti advised, adding that Atiku has “nothing new to offer” Nigerians, especially with his past record on privatization and subsidy removal.

He urged Atiku to emulate former Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chose to stay away from active politics after leaving office.

Datti also turned his attention to Nasir El-Rufai, asking him to return to the APC fold rather than drifting away due to personal disagreements. He reminded El-Rufai of his past declaration that he would quit politics if he left APC.

“You had access to the party and the President. It’s strange that you’re now criticizing the same system. Don’t allow emotions to cloud your judgment,” Datti warned.

He also dismissed talks of a coalition between PDP members and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), saying no serious PDP governor would abandon an established structure for uncertainty.

Datti praised the current political leadership in the North-West zone, noting that the region has never had it so good. He highlighted that both the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, hail from the zone — a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s political history.

He further lauded Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive leadership in Kaduna, noting that several prominent PDP members have joined APC under his administration. Datti also celebrated President Bola Tinubu’s support for major infrastructure in the region, including the approval of a metro rail project in Kaduna State worth ₦250 billion.

He concluded that the Tinubu administration is gradually turning things around, citing the strengthening of the naira and falling food prices.