Oladejo: Nigeria Must Move Beyond Career Presidential Aspirants, Says Atiku Should Embrace Statesmanship
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his repeated presidential ambitions and embrace statesmanship, arguing that Nigeria needs generational renewal rather than the recycling of career presidential aspirants.
Oladejo made the call while reacting to the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the unfolding developments as evidence of the contradictions and institutional weaknesses within the opposition coalition.
In a statement dated November 10, 2026, titled “Atiku and ADC Crisis: Same Ambition, Different Platform – Why Nigeria Must Move Beyond Career Presidential Aspirants,” the APC spokesman questioned the rationale behind Atiku’s continued search for political platforms to pursue his presidential ambition after decades in Nigeria’s political space.
He argued that the former Vice President’s political journey, spanning several presidential contests and political affiliations, should have translated into a more enduring legacy of institution-building, mentorship and generational leadership.
According to Oladejo, the crisis within the ADC has exposed the difficulties of sustaining a political coalition assembled primarily around the ambition of capturing power rather than a shared ideology or coherent governance agenda.
He described the ADC as a political refuge for displaced interests and aggrieved politicians, questioning what binds the coalition beyond its opposition to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
“The obvious question was never adequately answered: beyond their collective opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, what exactly held this coalition together?” he asked.
Oladejo maintained that political parties should not be reduced to convenient platforms for negotiating individual presidential ambitions, insisting that credible opposition movements must be founded on institutional discipline, internal democracy and clearly defined political philosophies.
ADC Crisis: APC Rejects Allegations of Interference
Commenting on the legal controversies surrounding the David Mark-led leadership structure of the ADC, Oladejo said the party’s internal disagreements should not be blamed on the ruling APC or the Federal Government.
He insisted that determining the leadership and control of the ADC remained the responsibility of its members and stakeholders, adding that the courts must be allowed to interpret the law without political interference.
The APC spokesman acknowledged the ADC’s right to challenge any unfavourable judicial decision through established appellate procedures but cautioned against dismissing court decisions simply because they conflicted with political interests.
He said the rule of law must be respected regardless of whether judicial outcomes favour or disadvantage particular political actors.
“The rule of law cannot be celebrated when it produces favourable outcomes and condemned when it exposes procedural deficiencies. Democracy is not a buffet from which political actors select only the portions that suit their ambitions,” he stated.
Atiku Urged to Prioritise Legacy Over Presidential Ambition
Oladejo acknowledged Atiku’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development, particularly his tenure as Vice President, but argued that political longevity should also come with the responsibility of mentoring younger leaders and strengthening democratic institutions.
He questioned whether every political season must revolve around another Atiku presidential project, urging the former Vice President to consider the importance of succession, generational transition and sustainable political development.
He expressed hope that Atiku would be the last of Nigeria’s career presidential aspirants, clarifying that his position was not a rejection of the constitutional right of qualified Nigerians to contest elections.
Rather, he said the country needed a political culture driven by ideas, public service, measurable achievements and institutional continuity.
According to him, Nigeria must move beyond a system in which political relevance is measured by the frequency of presidential contests and the ability to secure accommodating political platforms.
Tinubu, APC Focused on Governance, Says Oladejo
The APC spokesman also contrasted the opposition’s internal disagreements with what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s focus on governance and the implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda.
He said the administration had embarked on far-reaching reforms despite significant economic challenges, noting that the opposition should demonstrate its capacity to offer credible alternatives rather than concentrate on criticising government policies.
While acknowledging Nigerians’ right to scrutinise government performance and demand better outcomes, Oladejo argued that political leadership should be assessed through vision, policy direction, institutional capacity and the willingness to make difficult decisions.
He maintained that the ADC’s internal crisis had weakened its claim to providing a credible alternative to the ruling party.
‘Atiku’s Final Act Should Be One of Statesmanship’
Oladejo further warned that Atiku’s political career could be remembered more for his persistent pursuit of presidential power than for the institutions, ideas and successors he helped develop.
He urged the former Vice President to embrace political maturity and rise above what he described as perpetual presidential contests, political brinkmanship and blame-shifting.
“There is still an opportunity for statesmanship. There is still room for political maturity, responsible leadership and a dignified appreciation of the democratic process,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s democracy was bigger than Atiku, the ADC or the presidential ambitions of any individual.
According to Oladejo, the former Vice President’s most consequential political decision at this stage could be to prioritise national interest, generational renewal and institutional development over another attempt at securing the presidency.
He concluded that political ambition should ultimately give way to statesmanship, warning that repeatedly changing political platforms without addressing internal democratic challenges would not provide a sustainable foundation for national leadership.
