2027 deal: Atiku ready to trade opposition for power – Wike’s aide claims

DDM News

A fresh controversy has emerged ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and Atiku

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the remarks came following statements made by Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Olayinka claimed that former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would easily defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to hand over power to him.

Olayinka’s comments were in reaction to Atiku Abubakar’s recent courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

The visit, which took place during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, saw Atiku accompanied by several former governors including Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, and Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.

Atiku, in a brief interaction with the press, stated that his visit was strictly to pay Sallah homage to Buhari.

He described the visit as being in the spirit of national unity and brotherhood.

However, political observers and critics have interpreted the visit as a calculated political move ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Responding via a Facebook post, Olayinka cast doubt on Atiku’s commitment to opposition politics.

He alleged that Atiku’s political loyalty was driven by self-interest and ambition, not ideology or party values.

“Those of us who have sense know that any opposition being led by Atiku is a failure from the beginning,” Olayinka wrote.

“Reason is, if tomorrow President Tinubu calls Atiku and tells him, ‘Don’t worry, I will hand over to you in 2027, just join APC,’ he will be in the APC immediately,” he added.

Olayinka further mocked Atiku’s homage to Buhari.

He suggested instead that the former Vice President should have visited his old political ally and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the Lisabi Day celebrations.

He also made a sarcastic remark about inviting Atiku to pay homage during the Egungun Festival in his hometown of Okemesi Ekiti next month.

The remarks have stirred discussions among political stakeholders.

This comes especially in light of Nigeria’s long-standing history of defections and shifting alliances in the political sphere.

Atiku Abubakar has changed political parties multiple times throughout his career.

Originally a member of the PDP, he left the party in 2006 to contest the presidency under the Action Congress.

He later returned to the PDP before moving to the APC in 2014.

He eventually returned to the PDP again in 2017 ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Political analysts note that Nigeria’s political landscape is frequently shaped by strategic alliances rather than ideology.

The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant ruling party, has struggled to maintain national relevance since losing to the APC in 2015.

Atiku has contested for the presidency six times and remains one of the most prominent figures in opposition politics.

However, with Tinubu consolidating power and key opposition figures such as Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal engaging in cross-party meetings, the future of Nigeria’s opposition appears increasingly uncertain.

Wike himself, though officially a PDP member, has faced criticism over his alliance with President Tinubu.

He has been accused by party members of sabotaging Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign.

As 2027 approaches, political maneuvering is expected to intensify.

Atiku, now 78 years old, has not ruled out another bid for the presidency.

Whether or not he remains within the PDP or makes yet another political switch could significantly influence the shape of the opposition and the outcome of the next elections.

Observers continue to watch the moves of key political players closely.

In Nigeria’s dynamic political environment, party loyalty often takes a back seat to personal ambition.

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