ADC presidential primaries: I will not step down for anyone – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his intention to contest the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying he will not step down for anyone.

Atiku’s statement comes amid ongoing debates over who will emerge as the party’s presidential candidate, following the recent declaration by Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), to join the ADC.

Obi’s entry into the ADC marks a significant milestone, boosting the party’s profile. Already, the party, chaired by former Senate President David Mark, boasts prominent figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, and Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State.

Read also: How ordeals in PDP, LP forced Atiku, Obi into fresh alliance

Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, recently told BusinessDay that the ADC’s presidential candidate would ideally emerge through consensus, but added that aspirants would proceed to primaries if consensus fails.

However, Atiku Abubakar, in a statement signed by Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser, said the “party remains open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures,” adding that “this inclusiveness—not coercion—is the soul of democracy.

“When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability.”

He said that “for nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history—an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“True to form, this administration has not only inflicted widespread hardship but has pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state.

“Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing ‘achievement’ has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress—despite its manifest failures—standing alone by default, not by merit.

“Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the nucleus of a credible national alternative.”

Atiku accused the Presidency of infiltrating the party with agents to destabilise the ADC.

“Agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilise the ADC from the outside—issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate.

“Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to ‘step aside’ is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.

“The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer. APC proxies and external meddlers have no standing to intimidate, blackmail, or sabotage this democratic resolve.”

He added that the party is focused on building strong ward, local government, and state structures nationwide, stressing that “disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference.”

“The recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, the political heartbeat of the South-East, triggered open boasts by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the party. Their fear is evident.

“Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission.

“Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.”

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