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The President of the International Council of Archbishops and Bishops for Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches, Archbishop Benny Danson has expressed support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the former vice president has the experience and capacity to lead the country.
Danson made his position known during a press conference in Aba, Abia State, where he spoke about the 2027 election and the qualities he believes Nigerians should consider when choosing their next president.
He said political candidates should be assessed based on their capacity, character and experience.
“All the presidential candidates coming out for the 2027 election are good and wonderful people with their different intentions, but without mincing words, Atiku Abubakar has more experience and the capacity to give Nigeria a better future and hand it over to the younger generation,” Danson said.
The cleric also described Atiku as a unifying figure, saying he had maintained relationships across religious, ethnic and regional lines.
“Looking at the life and nature of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, you will see a unifier and a man that has no discrimination, no matter your religious background and no matter where you are coming from,” he said.
On controversies surrounding Atiku’s political career, Danson argued that some of the allegations against the former vice president were politically motivated.
“I want to say to Nigeria that most times the stone that was rejected will end up becoming the chief cornerstone. As far as I am concerned, Atiku Abubakar has been falsely accused with all manner of false accusations. I am not saying he is a perfect politician, but in all the years I have known him, I think he will be better off than those who have messed up this country,” he said.
Danson also referred to the political disagreement between Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the controversial third-term agenda.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had a personal ambition of going for a third tenure which Atiku Abubakar refused to allow. That was the crime he committed that made him to be labelled a thief, a thief without evidence of whatever he stole. Till date, no financial crime organization has been able to bring him to book,” he said.
He questioned whether Nigerians should allow allegations to determine their assessment of political candidates.
“Should we follow the mere allegations of men? Do we just allow people to deny us of somebody who can deliver this nation and put it on the right track?” he asked.
Danson also urged Nigerians to give Atiku an opportunity to govern for four years, noting that the former vice president had contested the presidency several times without securing the mandate.
“Some people may say he has tried several times to contest for presidency and failed, but did Nigeria give him the chance? Why can’t Nigeria give him the chance to prove himself worthy or not worthy for just 4 years? Let’s see what he can offer, let’s see whether the things he is speaking forth can come to reality,” he said.
He added, “I want to beg Nigerians to consider His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria come 2027 to correct the errors. He may not do all, but he will do better. He will rectify so many errors and Nigeria will be great again.”
The archbishop further called on religious and traditional leaders, as well as voters, to consider the capacity of candidates rather than sentiments.
“Let us drop sentiment and look at capacity, look at the man with a genuine heart to rescue his people. Never look down on that stone because he may be the pillar that can hold the building tomorrow,” he said.
Danson also expressed support for Atiku’s proposed candidacy under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and suggested former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as a possible running mate.
“I call on well-meaning Nigerians to vote ADC, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar come 2027 for a better Nigeria. Let’s give him a trial, let’s give him a benefit of doubt, let’s see what he can offer to the nation. And Rotimi Amaechi will be a good Vice President for Nigeria,” he said.
