Atiku appoints aide to coordinate 2027 campaign in three North-West states

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has appointed Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar as his Special Assistant for North-West Regional Coordination ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as he presses ahead with his campaign despite a court ruling affecting his emergence as the African Democratic Congress candidate.

Abdul-Aziz announced his appointment in a statement posted on his X account on Friday, saying he would coordinate campaign activities in Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna states.

He expressed gratitude to Atiku for entrusting him with the responsibility, describing the former Vice-President as a leader committed to youth inclusion and good governance.

“I am deeply grateful to H.E. Atiku Abubakar for finding me worthy of this responsibility. His consistent commitment to youth inclusiveness and good governance has, for decades, provided a genuine platform for young Nigerians to grow, learn, and participate meaningfully in politics,” he said.

Abdul-Aziz added that he and other supporters would work towards securing Atiku’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.

“That legacy continues to inspire many of us. We will work relentlessly until we secure victory for him in 2027. Tinubu must go!” he said.

The appointment comes a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken under it, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruled that the Mark-led caretaker committee was illegally constituted and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise decisions taken by the party under its leadership.

Atiku and the ADC have rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The former Vice-President has also insisted that his presidential campaign would continue despite the judgment.