The Senior Political Assistant to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, has warned that the opposition’s momentum could collapse if the former Vice President withdraws from the 2027 presidential race.

Olarewaju maintained that Atiku remains the only opposition candidate with the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu both locally and internationally in the 2027 election.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the ADC aide argued that Atiku’s continued participation in the race was crucial to sustaining the opposition movement beyond the 2027 elections.

He wrote: “Atiku steps down now and opposition momentum dies totally – an election with the incumbent as contestant is a different ballgame from a transition election.

“2027 is beyond Atiku. Atiku himself is the bridge for us to build and hold an opposition core, post-2027.

“Atiku is the only candidate showing capacity to match Bola Tinubu locally and internationally in 2027.”

Olarewaju further urged opposition supporters to prepare for what he described as a unique 2027 election, noting that every election has its own dynamics.

He also attributed the outcome of the 2023 presidential election to the level of support former President Muhammadu Buhari gave Tinubu’s campaign, claiming that the APC’s loss in Lagos and alleged irregularities in some states were partly linked to Buhari’s stance.

“2023 went the way it did because Buhari wasn’t too invested in Tinubu’s victory, that’s why APC lost Lagos and communal rigging was allowed in many states,” he added.