Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed uncertainty about contesting the presidency in 2027. Speaking in an interview for Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku addressed speculation about his political future, despite recently forming a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The alliance has sparked debates over its leadership, with key figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai emerging as potential frontrunners.

When asked if he would run, Atiku responded, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”

Emphasizing Nigeria’s need for experienced leadership, he stated, “I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.”

Reflecting on past political mergers, Atiku recalled the 2014 coalition that led to an opposition victory. “About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.

He also echoed concerns raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Nigeria’s weakening democracy, describing the situation as “very dire.”

Expressing disappointment with the governance of younger politicians, Atiku remarked, “The next generation after me, many of them had been governors, had been senators. Instead of me to see an improvement in the level of governance at the state level and so on and so forth, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed.”

Atiku, who contested the 2023 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holds a record six presidential bids.