Political tensions are rising ahead of the 2027 general elections following a surprising development within one of Nigeria's prominent political families. Theo Abu Agada, the Director of New Media and Strategic Communications for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has publicly stated that Atiku Abubakar should abandon his presidential ambitions.

This call came in the wake of a major political shift involving Atiku's son, Abba. The younger Atiku, who serves as the founder and chairman of the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation (HBTO) a political mobilisation and support platform recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Demonstrating his firm support for the administration, Abba unveiled a comprehensive 2027 mobilisation strategy spanning all six geopolitical zones, which includes plans to organize a massive two-million-man march across the country to back President Bola Tinubu's reelection bid.

Weighing in on the situation on X, Agada remarked that the move creates exceptionally poor political optics for the former vice president and current African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful, suggesting that the development signals it is time for him to step back from the race.

Despite these internal family divergences and mounting political pressure, Atiku remains a central figure in the opposition. He has consistently positioned himself as a formidable contender for 2027, frequently criticizing President Tinubu's economic policies and holding the administration accountable for the current economic hardships and widespread hunger in the country.