Tinubu should focus on governance, not 2027 permutations – Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has again admonished the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to focus on governance instead of dissipating energy on permutations for the 2027 presidential contest.

Atiku said this in response to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, about the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.

Recall that Wike had at a press conference in Abuja enjoined the former Vice President to perish the thought of flying the PDP flag in the 2027 presidential contest.

Wike specifically said, “He is lobbying for another chance, but the chance will not be there. In which party? How can we rely on one man for so many years?” He emphasised that Atiku has no prospects of becoming the candidate again in 2027.

However, responding through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku reminded Wike of his alleged failed attempt to foist a candidate on the party as far back as 2019.

Shaibu said, “If he had the power to distribute presidential tickets like party favours, he’d certainly have kept one for himself. After all, Atiku thoroughly schooled him and his chosen protégé in his own backyard ahead of the 2019 election and then handed him a resounding defeat in the 2023 primaries in Abuja.”

Atiku’s aide equally queried Wike’s focus on the 2027 election, especially when he has publicly declared that President Tinubu will be returning to office.

He suggested that Wike should be more concerned about the urgent issues Nigerians are facing, such as the rising cost of living and hunger, rather than early political moves for the next election.

“This hunger is becoming unbearable; it’s what we should be addressing, not political manoeuvres for 2027,” Shaibu noted.