YOLA — A member of the House of Representatives from Adamawa State has formally advised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from partisan politics and embrace the role of an elder statesman.
The lawmaker, whose counsel was publicized on February 4, 2026, suggested that after decades in the political arena, the Waziri Adamawa should focus on mentoring a new generation of leaders rather than pursuing further presidential ambitions. This call aligns with recent public statements from other Northern figures, such as Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who similarly urged the former Vice-President to adopt a “fatherly role” for the nation.
Shift Toward Generational ChangeÂ
The advice comes as Atiku continues to navigate a shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections:
- Support for Youth: In late 2025, Atiku expressed a willingness to step aside if a “vibrant and acceptable” younger candidate emerged, stating his interest was in “rescuing Nigeria” rather than personal desperation.
- Political Realignment: Despite the advice to retire, Atiku has remained active, recently holding high-level talks with the Action Democratic Party (ADP) to expand the scope of the opposition coalition.
- Family Defection: The call for retirement follows the recent defection of his son, Abba Atiku Abubakar, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the younger Atiku pledged his total support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Local Political Pressure
In his home state of Adamawa, Atiku faces significant internal party friction. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration has been involved in a series of chieftaincy reforms that sparked rumors of Atiku being stripped of his traditional title—rumors the state government has since denied.
Additionally, the state’s PDP leadership has maintained that the party remains strong regardless of the “Waziri’s” personal political trajectory, as allies continue to resign from the opposition ADC coalition citing “personal commitments.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, Atiku Abubakar’s media office has not released a formal response to the Adamawa Representative’s specific advice.
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Meanwhile, pressure for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to retire has intensified from within the opposition, though Atiku remains resolute in his 2027 ambitions.
Opposition Internal FrictionÂ
The call by the Adamawa representative for Atiku to become an “elder statesman” mirrors a growing sentiment among other opposition figures who view his continued presence as a hurdle to regional and generational power shifts:
- Peter Obi and the ‘Obidient’ Factor: Supporters of Peter Obi have argued that Atiku’s continued ambition could “suffocate the party’s future” and alienate younger voters. They maintain that Obi’s rising popularity makes him a more vibrant and national alternative for a unified opposition in 2027.
- Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Blistering Rejection: The leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has flatly denied rumors of a power-sharing deal with Atiku and Obi. He recently criticized “elderly people” aged 70 to 80 for allegedly spreading lies about such agreements, a veiled reference to the Atiku camp.
- PDP’s ‘Wait-and-See’ Stance: Since Atiku’s exit from the PDP to the ADC in late 2025, party leadership has downplayed his departure. Acting National Chairman Iliya Damagum described it as a “familiar pattern,” while some Southwest PDP leaders have urged him to shelve his ambition to allow for a Southern candidate to complete an eight-year cycle.
Atiku’s Response: ‘I Will Not Step Down’
Despite the pressure, Atiku has maintained a defiant posture through his media office:
- Rejection of Retirement: Atiku has labeled calls for him to “step aside” as a “betrayal of the Nigerian people” and a gift to authoritarianism. He maintains that the ADC will conduct an open and competitive primary, rejecting any “backroom deals” for a consensus candidate.
- Targeting the Presidency: Atiku’s camp argues that the only person who should “step aside” is President Tinubu, accusing the current administration of being a “national liability” that has deepened economic hardship.
The fragmentation within the opposition—characterized by disunity between Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso supporters—is increasingly being viewed by the APC as a strategic opening to exploit ahead of the 2027 polls.
