Nigeria’s leading opposition party has once again turned to veteran politician Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch with current President Bola Tinubu. The announcement, made after the party’s primaries, marks Abubakar’s seventh bid for the country’s top office.
Taking to social media platform X, the 77-year-old former vice president expressed gratitude for the party’s support. “I am truly humbled and excited by this singular honour,” he wrote. “With the primaries behind us, the real hard work is about to begin.”
The election, scheduled for January, promises to be a fierce contest as Abubakar seeks to unseat Tinubu, who defeated him in the 2023 race. Observers note that the rematch could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape, with Abubakar’s long political career—spanning decades of public service and multiple presidential runs—pitted against Tinubu’s incumbency and reform agenda. As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on how these two political heavyweights navigate the nation’s pressing challenges, from economic woes to security concerns.