The Presidency has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his intention to seek the presidency in the 2027 general election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The reaction came from President Bola Tinubu’s Political Adviser, Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, during an engagement with members of the Jigawa State Academics Forum.
Masari questioned the viability of Atiku’s presidential pursuit and advised the former vice president to pay greater attention to the legal matters involving him.
The presidential aide argued that Atiku’s quest for the nation’s highest office could not be achieved through desperation, insisting that the former vice president was aware of the difficulties surrounding his ambition.
“Even Atiku himself knows he is just joking and kidding,” Masari stated.
While speaking on the 2027 political contest, Masari portrayed the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the leading political platform in Nigeria.
He described the forthcoming election as a decision between sustaining the policies of the Tinubu administration and handing power back to opposition parties.
The presidential adviser listed several areas where the Federal Government, according to him, had continued to direct attention, including road and other infrastructure projects, economic expansion, improved security and efforts to tackle poverty.
Masari also praised the Jigawa State Academics Forum for declaring its support for President Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi ahead of the next election cycle.
He maintained that education remained one of the Federal Government’s areas of concentration, noting that efforts had been made to maintain stability in the university system.
According to him, the regularisation of the academic calendar had provided greater consistency for students and institutions, while beneficiaries were also making use of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The comments come against the backdrop of heightened political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties, aspirants and opposition groups stepping up consultations and mobilisation.
Atiku’s expected participation has added to the growing political discussions surrounding the presidential race, particularly as opposition figures continue efforts to build a strong platform ahead of the election.
The former vice president has contested the presidency several times and remains one of the prominent figures in the opposition camp.
As preparations for 2027 continue, both the ruling APC and opposition parties are intensifying engagements with political stakeholders, support groups and voters across the country.
