The national coordinator of Bridge for Renewed Hope and former director-general of the Atiku Youth Wing, Hon. Rowland Odih, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
This was contained in a statement he signed yesterday, saying, “We, the Youth Mobilisation Group operating under the platform of Bridge for Renewed Hope, formerly aligned with the presidential aspiration of Atiku Abubakar, hereby announce our unwavering endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.”
According to him, Bridge for Renewed Hope is a major youth-driven political coalition affiliated with the broader City Boy Movement. The organisation was formed by former leaders and members of the Atiku Youth Wing who have now aligned themselves with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his 2027 re-election project.
“The platform is primarily composed of former youth leaders and supporters from the Atiku political structure who officially collapsed their organisation and joined the City Boy Movement on June 4, 2026. Key figures driving the initiative include Hon. Rowland Odih, former national coordinator of the Atiku Youth Wing and current national coordinator of Bridge for Renewed Hope; Hon. Ayodele Olawande; Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, director-general of the City Boy Movement and Hon. Gambo Manzo.”
He said the group’s mission is to unite young Nigerians and mobilise support across the country while promoting youth inclusion in governance, digital innovation, leadership development, and empowerment programmes. As part of the wider City Boy Movement, Bridge for Renewed Hope contributes to a nationwide political network that includes organisations such as the Renewed Hope Youth Ambassadors.
Odih explained that after careful reflection on the nation’s political landscape and the repeated efforts of Atiku Abubakar to attain the presidency, they respectfully submit that the time had come for him to step aside.
“While we acknowledge his commitment and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, we believe the pathway to electoral victory for him has become increasingly difficult,” Odih said.
He appealed to Atiku to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest and lend his support to Tinubu, adding that such a decision would promote political unity and strengthen collective efforts toward national development.
