Things Fall Apart In APC As Atiku Draws Final Battle Line

Things Fall Apart In APC

OpenLife Nigeria reports that at a time political analysts heaved a sigh of relief over the clarity on the African Democratic Congress, ADC presidential ticket that surfaced days ago, latest information indicates that a final battle line has been drawn amongst the frontline 2027 aspirants on ADC platform.

Over time, keen observers have always pointed at the presidential conflict of interest between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi.

In every assessment, both are heavy weights presidential aspirants with large followers across geo political zones.

Using different parameters, many have been of the opinion that Atiku should support Obi principally on account of age and favourable zonal considerations.

That perhaps account for the reasons supporters of Peter Obi jumped to high heaven when news filtered out on Tuesday that Atiku has granted interview to BBC Hausa Service, indicating interest to step down for a younger candidate in the 2027 race.

“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” he had said in the interview.

However and in a twist, the former Vice President has dismissed reports suggesting that he intends to step down for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described such claims as a misrepresentation of his recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

Ibe explained that a careful review of both the video and transcripts of the interview showed that Atiku never said, suggested, or implied that he intends to step down for anyone.

The statement reads, “After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview – in the original Hausa and the English translation – it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.

“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest.

He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without any hesitation.

“While interpretative journalism is a legitimate aspect of reporting, stretching interpretation to the point of mischief is unacceptable and must not be encouraged.

“For the record, therefore, the insinuations attributed to Waziri Adamawa from his BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said.”