Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims that he is desperate to become Nigeria’s president.
Atiku stated this on Saturday while responding to critics who have repeatedly urged him to step aside for younger politicians.
Speaking as a guest at a ceremony organised in Lagos to welcome some leaders of the PDP and Labour Party into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku emphasised that his political ambition is not driven by desperation but by the desire to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
The former vice president, who was represented at the event by Prof. Ola Olateju, said his mission was to help rebuild the nation and make it one Nigerians everywhere could be proud of.
“It’s not about Atiku having to be president at all costs,” he said, stressing that what mattered most was ensuring that the country was put back on the path of progress and stability.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency several times under different platforms, has often been accused of being overly determined to lead the nation. However, he maintained that his vision is not for personal gain but for national transformation.
According to him, the ADC should not be regarded merely as a political party but as a movement through which Nigerians are determined to end bad governance and reposition the country for greatness.
“The movement is aimed at repositioning Nigeria and taking it to greater heights,” he added.
Atiku’s remarks come amid ongoing debates within opposition circles over leadership and strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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