The Congress of Northern Democrats (CND) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of weakening opposition politics and failing to advance Northern interests through what it described as an unending quest for the presidency.
The group claimed that Atiku’s political ambitions had repeatedly taken precedence over opposition unity, national progress and leadership renewal.
In a statement issued by the organisation’s chairman, Comrade Musa Adamu, the CND expressed concern over reports suggesting the former vice president could contest the presidency again in the 2027 general election, which would mark another bid for the nation’s top office.
The statement noted that Nigerians are facing severe economic and security challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and widespread hardship, adding that opposition figures should focus on building a united front capable of addressing the country’s problems.
Adamu said: “At a time when millions of Nigerians are crushed by hunger, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and deepening economic despair, the opposition ought to be rallying around a coherent national rescue agenda.
“Instead, what Nigerians continue to witness is the recycling of old political ambitions, elite ego battles, and endless power calculations headed by Atiku which is disconnected from the suffering of ordinary citizens.
“The North, in particular, must now ask difficult but necessary questions: What exactly has Atiku Abubakar’s endless presidential project achieved for the North or Nigeria? Since 1993, he has remained perpetually in pursuit of power, moving from one platform to another.
“Dominating opposition arrangements, negotiating alliances, and positioning himself as indispensable, yet the opposition today is weaker, more fragmented, and more directionless than ever before courtesy of his greed and manipulation.”
The group further alleged that Atiku’s political conduct had contributed to divisions within opposition ranks.
“The CND regrets that Atiku has consistently demonstrated a troubling political pattern that whenever his personal ambition is not guaranteed, the stability and cohesion of opposition platforms become secondary.
“Rather than serving as a bridge-builder capable of uniting aggrieved political blocs against a failing government, he has (allegedly ) become a recurring source of division and internal instability within the opposition space.
“This is precisely why many Nigerians increasingly believe that the opposition’s inability to present a united front is indirectly a plus to the ruling APC. Whether intentionally or otherwise, the outcome remains that a fractured opposition will betray Nigerians to continue to suffer unprecedented hardship,” the statement added.
The CND also expressed disappointment that coalition movements such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had yet to fully establish themselves as strong alternatives for Nigerians seeking solutions to insecurity and economic difficulties.
Adamu added: “It is deeply unfortunate that younger Nigerians with fresh ideas, modern political thinking, energy, and grassroots credibility continue to be denied meaningful opportunities because Atiku and his likes are unwilling to step aside. No democracy can grow when leadership circulation is constantly blocked by the same individuals for decades.
“The CND states categorically that Northern Nigeria does not need another cycle of recycled ambition. The region today faces existential crises of terrorism, banditry, collapsing agriculture, poverty, mass youth unemployment, and widespread disillusionment.
“What the North requires are courageous, visionary, and selfless leaders capable of building consensus, mentoring younger generations, and prioritising collective progress over personal political obsession.
“We therefore call on Nigerians, particularly Northern youths, civil society groups, professionals, and political stakeholders, to reject personality-driven politics and begin the urgent task of rebuilding a principled opposition founded on competence, sacrifice, integrity, ideas, and generational renewal.
“The North and Nigeria deserve leadership focused on solutions, not endless campaigns built around one man’s lifelong pursuit of power.”
