Donald Duke Questions Atiku’s 2027 Ambition, Says It May Hurt Opposition Chances

Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has stirred fresh political debate after openly questioning the 2027 presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that his repeated bids may be weakening the opposition’s chances of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on the issue, Duke argued that in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku knowingly entered the race despite widespread sentiments that power should return to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year northern presidency. According to him, Atiku’s participation split the opposition vote, especially with Labour Party’s Peter Obi also in the race, ultimately creating the opening that allowed Tinubu to emerge victorious and move into Aso Rock.
“If you ask me, I think Atiku knows what he’s doing and does it deliberately. In 2023, knowing full well that it was the turn of the South, he jumped in and shared the people’s collective vote with Obi, thereby giving Tinubu the leeway to Aso Rock,” Duke reportedly stated.
He further questioned Atiku’s renewed push ahead of 2027, despite his public insistence that Tinubu must be removed from office.
“This time again he wants to scuttle the chances, while shouting and swearing Tinubu must leave come 2027. And one may ask, assuming he gets the ticket, what makes him think the electorate will allow him usurp the unfinished southern term,” Duke added.
His comments have triggered mixed reactions across the political space. While some Nigerians believe Atiku may be indirectly helping Tinubu by dividing the opposition base, others argue that the former vice president remains a major political force with every right to contest for the presidency.
Some critics also suggest that Atiku’s persistent ambition reflects a refusal to step aside for younger or regionally favored candidates, while his supporters maintain that experience and popularity—not zoning—should determine leadership.
The remarks have once again reignited the national conversation around zoning, power rotation, and the strategy opposition parties must adopt if they hope to challenge Tinubu successfully in 2027.