2027: Atiku out of presidential race is best for Nigeria – Baba-Ahmed

Former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has weighed in on the 2027 presidential elections, offering his perspective on what he believes would be the most beneficial course of action for Nigeria.

Speaking on the Arise News Morning Show on Thursday, January 22, Baba-Ahmed said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has played a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process over the years.

He argued that, given Atiku’s long years of service and political labor, the most important step he could take for the country now would be to decide not to contest the 2027 presidency.

“The most important thing that ADC can do, and the single most important commitment that Atiku can make to this country after all his years of labor and striving to build the democratic process in this country, is to decide not to run for president in 2027,” Baba-Ahmed said.

By stepping aside, he added, Atiku could pave the way for a smoother democratic transition and allow fresh leadership to emerge, which, in his view, would be the greatest service he could render to Nigeria at this moment.

Atiku Abubakar defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

He officially resigned from the PDP in July 2025 and later joined the ADC, where he positioned himself within the opposition coalition, a move that has reshaped the political landscape ahead of the polls.