Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that nothing can stop him from pursuing his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, while comparing his political journey with that of former United States President Abraham Lincoln.
Atiku made the statement during an interview with Jaji TV Hausa, where he discussed his political experience, his readiness for another presidential contest and his determination to continue pursuing his political ambition.
The former vice president reportedly said he remains physically fit, healthy and energetic despite his long career in Nigerian politics.
“I am fit, healthy and full of energy, nothing can stop me,” Atiku said while discussing his plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue to intensify, with political parties and prospective candidates positioning themselves for the contest.
Atiku has contested Nigeria’s presidency several times and has experienced both electoral victories and defeats throughout his political career.
During the interview, he reportedly recalled his experience in Adamawa State, where he said he contested the governorship election four times before eventually succeeding on his fifth attempt. He used the experience to illustrate his belief that political setbacks do not necessarily mean the end of a political ambition.
Atiku reportedly drew a comparison between his own political journey and that of Abraham Lincoln, who became one of the most prominent presidents in American history after experiencing several electoral setbacks earlier in his political career.
He questioned how many times Lincoln had lost elections before eventually becoming president, using the historical example to emphasise perseverance in politics. The comparison reflects Atiku’s argument that repeated attempts and previous defeats should not necessarily prevent a politician from continuing to pursue public office.
Atiku’s political career spans several decades. He served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and has remained a major figure in national politics since leaving office.
He has also contested presidential elections on several occasions, including the 2019 and 2023 elections. In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), finishing second behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Ahead of the 2027 election, Atiku has become associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has attracted several opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling party. His declaration that he remains determined to contest the 2027 election comes amid broader efforts by opposition politicians to form alliances ahead of the poll.
The 2027 presidential race is expected to attract significant political attention as parties begin preparations for their primaries, campaigns and selection of candidates.
Atiku’s comments also focused on his physical condition, an issue that has featured prominently in discussions surrounding his continued participation in Nigerian politics.
By describing himself as fit, healthy and full of energy, the former vice president sought to address questions about whether age or health could affect his ability to participate in another presidential campaign.
His comparison with Lincoln also formed part of his broader argument about perseverance and political determination.
However, Atiku’s statement that “nothing can stop me” represents his personal political position and should not be interpreted as an indication that he is guaranteed to contest or win the 2027 presidential election.
Several constitutional, electoral and political processes must still take place before the final list of presidential candidates for the 2027 election is established.
Political parties are expected to conduct their internal processes, including primaries, through which candidates will be selected to represent them in the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission will subsequently conduct the electoral process in accordance with Nigeria’s electoral laws and regulations.
In the same period, Atiku also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral technology ahead of the 2027 election.
He reportedly expressed concern over the technology being used on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and warned that the continued use of outdated software could create cybersecurity and operational risks. His comments followed reports concerning a mock accreditation exercise conducted in Osun State on August 1, 2026.
Atiku reportedly referred to concerns about the Android operating system being used on BVAS devices and called attention to the need for stronger technological safeguards ahead of the next general election. The concerns form part of the wider debate surrounding electoral credibility, technology and the security of Nigeria’s voting system.
The BVAS was introduced by INEC to help with voter accreditation and verification during elections. The system has become an important component of Nigeria’s electoral process since its introduction. As political preparations for 2027 continue, issues surrounding electoral technology, voter registration, security and the credibility of the electoral process are expected to remain major topics of discussion.
Atiku’s latest comments therefore combine his personal determination to seek the presidency with broader concerns about the conditions under which the next election will be conducted.
His reference to Abraham Lincoln is also likely to attract attention because Lincoln is widely remembered for overcoming several political defeats before eventually becoming the 16th President of the United States. For Atiku, the historical example reinforces the argument that previous political defeats should not automatically determine a politician’s future. Whether Atiku will ultimately emerge as the presidential candidate of his political platform will depend on the outcome of the relevant party processes.
Similarly, the eventual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will depend on voters and the official electoral process. For now, Atiku has made his position clear: he says he remains physically fit, politically active and determined to continue pursuing his presidential ambition. His remarks are likely to keep him at the centre of political discussions as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Atiku Abubakar is a former Vice President of Nigeria and a longstanding figure in national politics. He has contested the presidency several times and has remained active in opposition politics. Ahead of the 2027 election, he has aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress amid efforts by opposition politicians to build a stronger political platform.
