Political Firestorm! Ruling Party Demands Atiku Exit 2027 Race, Citing 'Nothing To Offer'

Mallam Alwan Hassan, the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Kano State, has strongly urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his persistent presidential ambition. Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Hassan leveled accusations against Atiku, asserting that he lacks fresh ideas and a credible track record necessary to effectively address Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges. Hassan, who emphasized the importance of Northern Nigeria's support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027, suggested that Atiku, having served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 and made multiple unsuccessful presidential attempts, should instead retire from active politics.

Hassan critically questioned Atiku's continued pursuit of the presidency, framing him as a part of the problem rather than a solution to issues he allegedly failed to tackle during his time in government. "Atiku has run for the presidency again and again, and Nigerians keep turning him down. They know he is not the solution. He is the problem. He has no ideas," Hassan stated. Furthermore, the APC spokesperson raised concerns regarding the provenance of Atiku’s considerable wealth, alleging that these financial resources have been instrumental in sustaining his repeated presidential campaigns. He also claimed that Atiku was liquidating properties to fund his political aspirations, cautioning that "public office is not a place to recover political investments" and that "Nigeria’s treasury belongs to the Nigerian people."

Addressing the North, Mallam Hassan challenged Atiku to provide a detailed account of his tangible contributions to the region's investment and development during his extensive years in public office. He argued that the Northern region deserves more than mere political declarations and implored its residents to meticulously evaluate the actual records of individuals seeking their political endorsement.

Conversely, Hassan robustly championed President Bola Tinubu’s quest for a second term, highlighting what he presented as significant improvements under the current administration across various sectors. He cited positive shifts in Nigeria's economic indicators, referencing a Federal Government economic presentation from October 28, which reported a second-quarter 2026 economic growth rate of 4.43 percent, a notable increase from 2.74 percent in 2023. Other economic achievements mentioned included an increase in foreign reserves, enhanced revenue generation, and a reduction in debt-servicing obligations, all attributed to Tinubu's economic reforms.

Beyond economic reforms, Hassan pointed to substantial interventions in education and infrastructure. He detailed the disbursement of N372.6 billion in student loans to 1.66 million applicants through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, alongside an allocation of N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions for crucial infrastructure development. Infrastructure improvements in Northern Nigeria were also underscored, with ongoing federal road projects such as the Kano Northern Bypass, Kano-Katsina Road, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria corridor being cited, in addition to basic education interventions specifically within Kano State. The APC spokesperson concluded that these broad-ranging interventions in infrastructure, education, and economic policy provide compelling reasons for Northern Nigerians to decisively support President Tinubu’s re-election bid.