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Atiku-Obasanjo feud and 2027 election tensions intensify

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2026-08-21 15:02 UTC → 2026-08-22 01:01 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The rivalry between Atiku Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo has intensified as the 2027 election approaches. Obasanjo recently hosted opposition governors in Abeokuta, fueling speculation of a mega-coalition, while reiterating that choosing Atiku as his deputy was a “major mistake.” Atiku has dismissed these claims as a “two-decade campaign of lies, political manipulation and orchestrated deceit.” Atiku has formally declared that the 2027 election will be his final presidential bid under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Central to his platform is the Atiku Economic Recovery Plan (AERP), which proposes a production-focused petroleum subsidy model. He has pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected, arguing that the current administration has failed to transparently account for funds saved since the 2023 removal. He stated that under his leadership, the subsidy would “follow the barrel” and be subject to strict auditing. His media team clarified he is not proposing a return to the old regime, but rather a model shifting support from fuel importation to local production through Nigerian refineries. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Nigerian Presidency and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the plan as “retrogressive” and “fiscally unsustainable,” while the APC has labeled it a “volte-face” and a desperate populist attempt. Wike dismissed Atiku as a “voodoo economist,” questioning his consistency. In contrast, the Ministry of Finance reported that subsidy removal mobilized approximately N15.8 trillion for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025. The Presidency has since challenged Abubakar to provide a detailed fiscal and legal framework for his plan, warning that reintroducing the subsidy could increase public debt and reduce funding for essential services.

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