Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has strongly advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his ambition of running for president in the 2027 elections. Olayinka stated that Atiku’s repeated attempts to secure the presidential seat are futile, arguing that it is not his destiny to lead Nigeria in the upcoming election cycle.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, Olayinka emphasized that Atiku, who was the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should stop pursuing a political career focused on presidency. He further remarked that the PDP ticket will not be made available again for what he described as “serial betrayals” of the party, referring to those like Atiku who have caused damage to the party through their past actions and ambitions. According to Olayinka, Atiku’s repeated attempts at presidential bids have alienated him from the party, making him unfit to represent them once again. He stated, “The PDP presidential ticket will no longer be available to be wasted by serial betrayals of the party, who are obviously suffering the consequences of their past sins against the party and its members.”
Olayinka continued to criticize Atiku, suggesting that he has no place in the 2027 presidential race as the PDP candidate. He said, “His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and those egging him on for their personal benefits should let the PDP breathe.” He urged Atiku and those supporting him to stop pursuing their ambition and allow the party a chance to heal from previous internal conflicts caused by the former Vice President’s actions. Olayinka pointed to Atiku’s past betrayals, including his defection from the PDP at different points in history, as evidence of his unsuitability for future leadership. He specifically highlighted Atiku’s 2003, 2007, and 2014 betrayals of the party and said that these actions should prevent him from seeking the party’s nomination in 2027. Olayinka remarked, “It is obvious that he (Atiku) is paying the price of betraying the PDP in 2003, 2007 and 2014. If not, the same presidency he has contested twice and lost, could have been his to just pick if he had avoided being inordinately ambitious while he was Vice President.”
Olayinka also took issue with Atiku’s history of political ambitions, including his controversial decision to run for president in 2007 while still serving as Vice President under the PDP. Atiku had joined another party, Action Congress, to contest the presidency in 2007, effectively running against his own party while still holding office as Vice President. Olayinka referred to this as a key example of Atiku’s disregard for the party’s interests and noted that it was a move that cost him the trust of many within the PDP. He remarked, “It was this desperation that made him to contest for president as candidate of Action Congress in 2007, while still serving as Vice President, elected under the platform of the PDP. A serving Vice President joining others to form another party and contesting as candidate of the new party against his own party. That’s Alhaji Atiku Abubakar!”
Olayinka further accused Atiku of lacking self-awareness about his role in the party’s failure during the 2023 election cycle. He pointed out that Atiku’s conscience would continue to bother him over his actions in Lagos during the 2023 election, suggesting that Atiku’s past mistakes in the party could never be washed away, despite his public apologies in 2018. Olayinka commented, “Most importantly, Atiku’s conscience will continue to prick him on his roles in Lagos in 2023, and I am sure that even his apology to PDP members in 2018 can never remove from his body, that garment of betrayal.”
In conclusion, Olayinka reiterated his stance that Atiku should accept that he has no place in the party’s future leadership. He added, “Therefore, it is again being sounded to his ears and those of the people lying to him that he is the only one who can win the presidency for the PDP that the ticket of the party will not be for someone like him, who will lose election and run to Dubai, only to come back two years to another election.” He urged Atiku to step aside and allow the party to find a more suitable candidate for the future. Olayinka’s statements reflect the growing frustration within the PDP regarding Atiku’s repeated presidential campaigns and the divisions that have followed him over the years. His remarks are seen as a clear message to both Atiku and his supporters that the PDP is ready to move on from past betrayals and focus on the future.