The Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to bow out of the 2027 presidential races and embrace statesmanship, following judicial rulings that have deepened the internal leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
It described the ongoing friction within the ADC as a clear sign of systemic failure in opposition coalitions built around individual ambitions rather than shared ideological principles.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Lagos State APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, noted that Atiku’s continuous shift across different political platforms—from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC—demonstrates an unwillingness to step aside for generational renewal in Nigerian politics.
The ruling party’s spokesperson argued that the current legal challenges surrounding the ADC’s leadership structure, particularly the controversies involving the David Mark-led setup, highlight the dangers of organizing a political movement purely to unseat an incumbent government.
“A political party is not an emergency shelter for frustrated aspirants, nor should it be reduced to a convenient platform for negotiating individual presidential ambitions,” Oladejo stated. He added that the opposition movement promised a governance alternative but continues to struggle with constitutional compliance and internal party management.
Addressing accusations from opposition figures attributing the ADC’s legal hurdles to federal interference, the APC denied any involvement in the internal affairs of opposition parties.
“The APC has no interest in determining who leads the ADC or how it conducts its internal affairs,” the statement read. “The courts exist to interpret the law, not to validate political convenience. Democracy is not a buffet from which political actors select only the portions that suit their ambitions.”
The APC spokesman urged Atiku to consider his long-term political legacy, warning against remaining a “permanent aspirant in search of accommodating political platforms.”
“There comes a time in every political career when the pursuit of personal ambition must give way to the responsibility of providing institutional leadership, mentoring younger generations, and contributing to the stability of the political system,” Oladejo said.
He further emphasized that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains focused on implementing economic reforms under the Renewed Hope agenda, the nation’s democratic growth requires a opposition capable of offering coherent policy alternatives rather than perpetual internal disputes.
The ADC has indicated plans to challenge the recent court judgments through appellate channels, maintaining that its legal rights will be fully pursued.