Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said the reported defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not automatically guarantee victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office on Friday, maintained that political defections are a common feature of Nigeria’s democratic process and should not be mistaken for popular support among voters.

According to him, the 2027 presidential election would be a contest between the ruling APC and the Nigerian people, stressing that Nigerians would ultimately determine the outcome at the polls.

“Every politician is free to choose a political path, and I respect that right,” he said, adding that even members of his family are entitled to hold independent political opinions.

The former vice president alleged that the current administration was deploying state institutions to intimidate opposition figures, claiming that recent defections by opposition politicians were driven more by pressure than genuine political alignment.

He accused the government of fearing accountability and credible elections, while pointing to economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rising poverty as major concerns facing Nigerians.

Atiku further cautioned citizens against equating political cross-carpeting with grassroots popularity, noting that elected officials may switch parties for personal or strategic reasons, while ordinary Nigerians remain focused on economic survival.

He questioned what achievements the ruling party would present to voters in 2027, asking whether issues such as hunger and economic hardship would form the basis of its campaign.

Urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, Atiku warned against vote-selling, emphasizing that political power ultimately belongs to the electorate.

“Do not trade your future or mortgage the tomorrow of your children. In 2027, Nigerians will decide, and the will of the people shall prevail,” he stated.