Atiku Abubakar Says His Drive Is For A Prosperous Nigeria, Not Desperation To Be President, As He Extol ADC Movement

 

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that his political commitment is not tied to a personal ambition to occupy Nigeria’s highest office but rather to a collective desire for a stronger, safer and more prosperous nation.

Speaking during an affirmation ceremony organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos on Saturday, Mr Abubakar, represented by Ola Olateju of Achievers University, Owo, explained that his decision to align with ADC and other like-minded politicians stemmed from the urgency to reposition Nigeria. The event saw several heavyweight politicians defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) to join the growing ADC coalition.

According to Mr Abubakar’s representative, his vision is anchored on delivering meaningful leadership that prioritises Nigerians’ welfare rather than a personal crusade to clinch the presidency at all costs. He emphasised that the ADC is not simply another political platform but a people-driven movement determined to restructure governance and improve national development.

The gathering was a significant political moment, as it witnessed the arrival of prominent figures such as PDP Board of Trustees member, Abimbola Ogunkelu, former Lagos PDP chairman, Muritala Ashorobi, retired Captain Tunji Shelle, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), and ex-youth leader, Tai Benedict, among others. They were welcomed into the ADC fold by party stalwarts, including national secretary Rauf Aregbesola, Kolawole Ogunwale, and Lagos ADC chairman, George Ashiru.

Mr Olateju, conveying Atiku’s message, told attendees that the new alliance was birthed out of the need to break away from the culture of politics-as-usual. He described it as a “new journey” designed to build a Nigeria that can guarantee security, welfare, and dignity for its people.

“Atiku Abubakar’s plan is not about a desperate quest to become president. The aim is to ensure Nigeria has competent, people-oriented leadership. It is about building a government that serves all Nigerians, not a personal ambition that must succeed at all costs,” Mr Olateju said.

He further explained that the former PDP candidate views the ADC platform as a unifying force. For Atiku and his allies, the country’s problems require broad-based coalitions instead of fragmented party politics. The coalition, he said, is already positioning itself as a viable alternative for Nigerians disillusioned by the failures of successive administrations.

The statement also touched on the difficulties ordinary Nigerians are facing in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy, which has triggered inflation and increased the cost of living. Mr Abubakar assured the audience that a better Nigeria remains achievable with the right leadership and that God could use the ADC movement as a vessel for national rebirth.

Questions about who will fly the ADC’s presidential flag in 2027 were also addressed. According to Mr Abubakar, no individual will be imposed on the people. Instead, the party will subject the process to a free and fair contest, after which all members will rally behind the chosen candidate.

He noted, “The focus is not about Atiku being president, nor is it about Peter Obi being president. It is about Nigeria achieving a rebirth. Whoever emerges as the candidate through a transparent process will embody the aspirations of the Nigerian people. That individual will become the symbol of collective hope and determination for national progress.”

The declaration has already sparked conversations within political circles. Analysts view Atiku’s new direction as an attempt to rebrand his political relevance while aligning with a broader grassroots-driven structure. Others argue that the move could mark the beginning of serious coalition politics capable of challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.

Party leaders at the event reassured new members of ADC’s openness to all Nigerians who believe in reforms, inclusivity, and service-oriented leadership. They echoed Atiku’s stance that the new political order must be less about personalities and more about policies that impact citizens positively.

As the ADC expands its tent, the movement is gradually attracting seasoned politicians, technocrats, and young Nigerians seeking credible alternatives to the entrenched political system. The ceremony in Lagos may well signal a turning point, as Atiku Abubakar and other defectors seek to redefine Nigeria’s opposition landscape with promises of unity, fairness, and genuine transformation.

For Mr Abubakar, the message was clear: the pursuit of a better Nigeria outweighs any personal ambition for power. The true victory, he suggested, lies in securing a future where leadership is judged by its ability to deliver on the hopes of the people.