2027 Coalition: Atiku Challenges Critics, Reveals Who Started The Movement

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has rejected claims that he became an obstacle to the success of the opposition coalition, insisting that he was instrumental to its formation.

The former Vice President made the clarification during an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday.

Atiku described the allegation as baseless, maintaining that he was the one who initiated the coalition and brought the various opposition figures together.

He said:

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else… I, Atiku Abubakar, started it.”

According to the former vice president, most of the politicians who were involved at the beginning of the coalition remain part of the movement despite disagreements among some prominent opposition figures.

Atiku identified Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the two major opposition figures who have since left the group.

He said:

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left.”

Asked whether Obi was also among those who had left, Atiku replied:

“Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”

Despite the divisions, Atiku said there was still a possibility of opposition politicians reaching an agreement and working together ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said:

“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace.

“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah.”

Atiku Questions Fuel Subsidy Savings

The former vice president also criticised the Federal Government over its handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the savings generated from the policy had been utilised.

Atiku said he did not oppose the removal of the subsidy itself but demanded greater transparency over the funds saved.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” he asked.

According to him, the savings from subsidy removal should have been channelled towards reducing poverty, improving education, tackling insecurity and creating economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

He added:

“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it.”

Atiku further pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027 and vowed that anyone found to have stolen funds associated with the policy would be required to refund the money.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.

He argued that the subsidy could have been removed without imposing the level of hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing if the resulting savings had been properly invested in national development.

Atiku said:

“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different.”

He maintained that while the government had successfully eliminated the subsidy, Nigerians were yet to see clear evidence of how the resulting savings had been deployed.