Atiku rules out 2031 run, calls 2027 his final  race

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 presidential election will be his final attempt at Nigeria’s highest office, ruling out any plan to return to the race in 2031.

Speaking in an interview, Atiku said the stakes attached to the coming election are higher than ever before, describing it as his last outing in presidential politics. He said the statement remains certain and beyond doubt, closing the door on speculation that he could try again should he fall short in 2027.

The ADC chieftain and former Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo has now contested for president multiple times without success. According to him, this history is part of why the 2027 race carries so much weight, both for his political journey and for the country.

Atiku also addressed concerns about his age, insisting that experience remains valuable in leadership. He explained that his years serving as Vice President taught him lessons that a younger, less experienced leader may not have access to, adding that Nigeria needs a blend of both youthful energy and seasoned governance.

His comments come as he continues consultations within the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 election, where he faces competition from other prominent politicians eyeing the party’s ticket. Some political figures have already argued that Atiku should step aside for a southern candidate in 2027, insisting his turn would only come in 2031.

For many Nigerians who have followed his decades-long political journey, Atiku’s declaration marks what could be the final chapter of one of the most persistent pursuits of the presidency in the country’s history.