Claim:
Atiku Abubakar has contested for Nigeria’s presidency seven times.
Verdict:
False. The former Vice President has contested in the general presidential elections only three times—in 2007, 2019, and 2023. Other instances were party primaries, not general elections.
Full Report:
WesternLifeNewsNG recalls a recent comment by Labour Party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, sparked fresh debate on the political journey of Atiku Abubakar, claiming that he has contested for the presidency seven times.
This statement has been widely circulated, reinforcing a narrative that may not reflect the factual political record of the former Vice President.
A closer review of historical political records reveals that Atiku Abubakar has contested the presidential election only three times:
Three Presidential Contests in General Elections:
2007 – Action Congress (AC): Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election under the platform of the Action Congress, after falling out with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. He came third behind Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP).
2019 – People’s Democratic Party (PDP): After returning to the PDP, Atiku emerged as the party’s flagbearer and contested against incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. He lost the election, which he later challenged in court.
2023 – People’s Democratic Party (PDP): Atiku again secured the PDP ticket and contested in the 2023 presidential election, where Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC was declared winner.
Misconceptions from Primary Elections:
While Atiku has sought party nominations several times, party primaries are not the same as contesting in a general election. Here are the notable instances often mistaken as full presidential runs:
1992 – SDP Presidential Primary: Atiku was a contestant in the Social Democratic Party presidential primaries. He stepped down after trailing behind M.K.O. Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe. He did not appear on the ballot for the national election.
2011 – PDP Presidential Primary: Atiku ran against Goodluck Jonathan in the PDP primaries. He lost and did not contest in the general election.
2014 – APC Presidential Primary:
After joining the All Progressives Congress, Atiku contested the presidential primaries, losing to Muhammadu Buhari, who eventually won the 2015 general election.
Why the Confusion?
Many people mistake participation in party primaries as full presidential contests. However, a real presidential contest implies being on the ballot in the national general election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Conclusion:
Atiku Abubakar has only contested Nigeria’s presidential election three times—in 2007, 2019, and 2023. Other attempts were limited to party-level primaries and do not qualify as full-scale presidential runs. Public figures and commentators are advised to make this important distinction to avoid misleading the public.
