Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a serial defector and seventh-time contender for the presidency, is back in the spotlight.
On Wednesday, May 27, Atiku emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential standard-bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Since 1993, Atiku has pursued the presidency without success.
He has sought the presidential ticket seven times and appeared on the ballot three times. He is set to appear on the ballot for the fourth time in the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform.
He entered the race in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023, and now for the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Whether 2027 will mark a turning point in his political odyssey or follow the pattern of previous attempts remains to be seen.
Atiku was on the ballot in 2007, 2019, and 2023, and will again contest in 2027 after securing the ADC presidential ticket.
At 79, the 2027 election could represent his final bid for the Presidency.
He will be 80 years old by the time the next presidential election takes place in 2027.
In April 2026, Atiku stated that the 2027 general elections would be his final attempt at becoming president, citing his age and the significance of the contest.
Atiku began his political journey in the 1980s when he campaigned for Bamanga Tukur, a former governor of the old Gongola State.
He first sought the presidential ticket in 1992 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.
He later contested in 2007 under the Action Congress, where he lost to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
1. In 1992, he contested the SDP presidential primaries but lost to Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe.
2. He became the presidential candidate of the Action Congress in the 2007 presidential election, finishing third behind Umaru Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
3. During the 2011 presidential election, he contested the PDP presidential primaries but lost to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
4. In 2014, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 presidential election and contested the party primaries, losing to Muhammadu Buhari.
5. In 2017, he returned to the PDP and became the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election, where he again lost to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
6. In May 2022, he emerged as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2023 general election after defeating Nyesom Wike in the primaries. However, he lost to the candidate of the ruling APC, Bola Tinubu.
7. Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in 2023, defected to the ADC in 2025.
He has now emerged as the ADC presidential standard-bearer for the 2027 general elections.
