The Arewa Youth Council has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his attempt to form a political coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing it as an alliance of irrelevant politicians seeking a comeback.
In a statement released on Thursday in Kaduna, the council’s president, Comrade Adams Reuben, dismissed Atiku’s recent moves as a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant after repeated failures at the polls.
Reuben said it was ironic that Atiku, who once oversaw the controversial sale of national assets during his time as head of the National Council on Privatisation, is now presenting himself as a reform-minded statesman.
He accused the former Vice President of hypocrisy, alleging that his so-called coalition lacks credibility and vision.
According to Reuben, Atiku’s record includes the privatization of key national institutions like NITEL and ALSCON, which he claimed were handed over to political allies under the guise of reforms that left millions worse off.
He added that the former Vice President’s recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was rooted in personal frustration and bitterness after a string of failed attempts at the presidency.
“It’s both laughable and pitiful to see Atiku, who was instrumental in the mismanagement of national assets, trying to reposition himself as the nation’s moral voice,” Reuben stated. “He is clearly out of touch and driven by a long history of electoral rejection.”
The youth group dismissed the proposed coalition as a “political gathering with no direction,” calling it a last-ditch effort by displaced politicians to re-enter national discourse.
Reuben remarked, “This so-called coalition is nothing more than a refuge for political outcasts. It is a derailed train with no destination, and Atiku is both the conductor and the sole passenger.”
The group went further to contrast Atiku’s repeated electoral failures with Tinubu’s victory on his first attempt, attributing the president’s success to the trust Nigerians have in his leadership and strategic vision.
“This is Tinubu’s first time on the presidential ballot, and he won convincingly because the people believe in his capability. Atiku, on the other hand, has lost six times and still feels entitled to the presidency,” the statement continued.
The Arewa Youth Council urged Atiku to exit the political stage and allow the current administration to focus on delivering its promises to the nation.
It warned that the group will continue to oppose individuals who, in their view, promote division and attempt to rewrite history for personal gain.