Abubakar Atiku

About Abubakar Atiku

Vice President Atiku Abubakar served Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. For eight years, he was second-in-command during a pivotal democratic period. Before that role, he had already built a reputation as a businessman with serious political ambitions.

Born on November 25, 1946, Atiku came of age during Nigeria's tumultuous military decades. He first ran for governor of Adamawa State in 1990 and again in 1996, but lost both times. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he finally won the governorship race.

His ascent accelerated quickly. Before even taking office as governor, Atiku was selected as running mate to Olusegun Obasanjo for the 1999 presidential election. The ticket won. He was re-elected in 2003 and served a full two terms as Vice President.

After leaving office in 2007, Atiku turned to presidential ambitions of his own. He ran for the top job six times across different political parties. In 2007, he was the Action Congress presidential candidate but finished third behind Umaru Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.

He contested the People's Democratic Party primaries in 2011, losing to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2014, he switched to the All Progressives Congress and competed in their presidential primaries, losing again to Buhari. He returned to the PDP in 2017 and was their presidential candidate in 2019, once more losing to Buhari.

In May 2022, the Peoples Democratic Party selected him as their presidential candidate for the 2023 general election. This marked his sixth presidential run. His persistence across multiple political parties and election cycles reflected his determination to reach Nigeria's highest office.

Today, Atiku remains a significant figure in Nigerian politics and business. His journey from unsuccessful gubernatorial runs to Vice President to serial presidential candidate spans decades of the nation's democratic history.