May 24, 2026
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday threw down a gauntlet before delegates of the African Democratic Congress ADC, urging the party to prioritize competence and national reach over sentiments and social media popularity as it prepares to pick a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku dismissed social media enthusiasm as insufficient test for presidency, insisting they the party must field its strongest candidate to defeat President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that with Nigeria mired in economic hardship, mounting debts, insecurity and institutional decay, the ADC cannot afford the luxury of fielding an untested candidate.
