Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! Nigeria’s political theatre is back in session, and guess who’s once again gracing the stage with his well-worn script? That’s right—Atiku Abubakar, the man who treats presidential elections like a yearly subscription service.
For those keeping count (because, honestly, it’s hard to keep track), Atiku has contested for Nigeria’s presidency six times—yes, six. That’s more attempts than some people have at passing JAMB and WAEC! From the days of the 1993 Social Democratic Party primaries, where he graciously stepped aside for Moshood Abiola, to his most recent 2023 bid, where he once again fell short, largely because of the disagreement with G5 governors, Atiku has been a familiar face on the ballot. And now, in 2027, he’s back at it again, promising Nigerians that this time, it’s just one term. Where have we heard that before?
Now, let’s talk about this one-term promise. It’s the political equivalent of “just one more episode” when binge-watching a series—you want to believe it, but deep down, you know better. Atiku’s latest campaign pitch is that he’s here to serve for a single term and then gracefully bow out. But Nigerians have seen this movie before, and the plot twist is usually the same: politicians rarely retire when they say they will.
And then there’s the matter of party tickets. Atiku’s relationship with the Peoples Democratic Party has been a bit like an on-again, off-again romance. He’s left, returned, left again, and was back before 2023 election, trying to convince everyone that the presidential ticket is his birthright. But let’s be honest—Nigeria’s presidency isn’t a family heirloom, and PDP isn’t Atiku’s personal playground (neitheris Wike’s, or so I thought). The 2027 elections should be about collaboration, fresh ideas, and new leadership, not another round of “Atiku vs. The Ballot Box.”
And let’s not forget the regional factor. Atiku hails from the North, just like Muhammadu Buhari, who just wrapped up eight years in office. While Atiku may argue that he’s a different kind of leader, many Nigerians are asking: shouldn’t the presidency rotate to another region? Shouldn’t Atiku, at this point, be playing the role of a kingmaker rather than a contestant?
Dear fam, as we brace ourselves for another round of campaign jingles, billboards, and promises, let’s ask ourselves: is it time for Atiku to step aside and support a new generation of leaders? Or will we be here again in 2031, writing yet another article about his latest presidential bid?
