Atiku Abubakar’s Seventh Presidential Bid: Who Will Foot The Bill This Time?

For nearly every democratic election since 1999, Atiku Abubakar has been a perennial contender for Nigeria’s presidency. Six attempts, six defeats — yet the former vice president remains undeterred, gearing up once more for the 2027 race. But this time, the question isn’t if he’ll run; it’s who will finance his campaign.

Atiku is undeniably wealthy. His tenure as head of Nigeria Customs Service and his sprawling logistics business empire ensure he’s no stranger to financial muscle. Still, mounting a nationwide presidential campaign in Nigeria requires more than personal wealth—it demands a coalition of funders.

Back in 2023, whispers suggested that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa wasn’t just Atiku’s running mate but also a key campaign financier. Now, with Okowa’s influence waning and defections from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accelerating, the party appears weaker than ever—more like a drying riverbed than a force poised for presidential victory.

Meanwhile, speculation swirls around alternative alliances. Some insiders hint that several governors are eyeing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while others suggest that Atiku, alongside Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai, may unite under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form a formidable opposition coalition. Yet the looming question of campaign funding shadows every scenario like the dusty Abuja expressway.

In today’s political landscape, billion-naira billboards and sprawling vote-chasing caravans underscore one truth: goodwill alone doesn’t win elections. The APC’s war chest is formidable, while Peter Obi’s Labour Party boasts passionate grassroots support and diaspora dollars. Atiku commands political reach—but reach doesn’t equate to a bank balance.

Still, Atiku remains the establishment’s reliable fallback: moderate, widely acceptable, and a northern elder with cross-regional appeal. He’s arguably the only candidate who can secure the constitutionally required 25% of votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s states without sparking elite alarm.

Yet even familiar faces require fresh backers. As political actors reposition and loyalties shift like Lagos traffic, the question persists: who will bankroll Atiku’s seventh presidential bid? The answer may well decide if this final act is history-making—or a quiet exit.