Chief Segun Adewale, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the leader Nigeria urgently needs to rescue its struggling economy.
Adewale, a former Lagos State PDP Chairman, made the remarks in an interview with the Voice of the people (VOP) on Friday in Lagos. He cautioned against dismissing Abubakar’s political relevance or pressuring him to exit the party.
This comes amid calls from some political figures, including former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George and ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, urging Abubakar not to contest the 2027 presidency on the PDP platform. George recently demanded Atiku’s resignation from the party over alleged anti-party activities, while Fayose vowed to oppose any future presidential bid by the former vice president.
Reacting to these developments, Adewale, popularly known as Aeroland, criticized the internal opposition within the PDP.
“No one should play God over Atiku’s ambition,” he said. “He is one of the few politicians with proven integrity and persistence. He has held power before and understands Nigeria’s political landscape and challenges more than most.”
Adewale praised Atiku’s character, saying, “He’s content with what he has, unlike many of his critics who are only after power for personal enrichment.”
He lamented that Atiku’s strongest opposition appears to come from within his own party.
“It’s unfortunate that some in the PDP are undermining Atiku’s efforts to build a strong coalition that could unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and return the PDP to power,” Adewale said.
“Those discouraging Atiku from running in 2027 are not serving the party or the nation—they are pursuing personal interests. Their views should be ignored,” he added.
Adewale emphasized that no opposition party, not even the Labour Party led by Peter Obi, can defeat the APC alone. He stressed the importance of unity and strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Calling for electoral reforms, Adewale alleged repeated manipulation of election outcomes in Lagos State, saying, “It’s not about popularity or competence—it’s about the system, which desperately needs an overhaul before the next election cycle.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians to push for change and demand better governance, saying the country needs a new direction and a breath of fresh air.
