Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the 2027 general election as a rescue mission for Nigerians, urging voters to support the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to improve their welfare and make life more affordable.
Atiku, the ADC’s presidential candidate, made the call on Friday during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) in Abuja.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the election, saying their votes would help determine the future of their families and the country’s economic direction.
“As members of this esteemed Campaign Council, we must make this choice clear to Nigerians: the Jan. 16 election is about their welfare and the future of their families.
“This election is a rescue mission, and every Nigerian with a PVC has a part to play. Let us urge them to dust off their PVCs and use them.
“In these difficult times, the ballot is more than a card; it is a powerful instrument for deciding whether life becomes affordable again,” he said.
Atiku called on members of the campaign council to take the party’s message to communities across the country and mobilise voters around its promises of economic recovery and improved living conditions.
Atiku Demands Electoral Transparency
The former vice-president stressed the importance of electoral transparency, warning that government policies and security plans would have little value if Nigerians’ votes were manipulated or stolen.
He said voters must have confidence that their ballots would be accurately counted and their choices respected.
Atiku maintained that accredited party agents, civil society organisations and election observers should be allowed to verify results independently, noting that their activities would complement the responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Let me state clearly: transparency is not a crime. Accredited party agents, civil society organisations and observers have the right to independently verify results and operate situation rooms.
“They do not replace INEC; they help confirm that the national outcome reflects what was recorded at each polling unit.
“Technology must serve the people, not hide the process: election systems must be open to scrutiny and independent audit,” he added.
The ADC presidential candidate called for severe penalties for vote suppression, result manipulation and other forms of electoral fraud, describing such measures as necessary to protect the people’s mandate.
Condemns Alleged Restrictions on Opposition Campaigns
Atiku also condemned alleged attempts to prevent opposition candidates from campaigning in Benue State, insisting that no community should be inaccessible to opposition parties.
He pledged that ADC candidates would campaign across all states, from coastal communities to northern regions, and resist unlawful restrictions on their political activities.
He said democratic competition required political parties to have the opportunity to present their programmes to voters without intimidation or unjustified restrictions.
Advocates Local Refining, Economic Reforms
On petroleum policy, Atiku advocated support for petroleum products refined locally and sold domestically. He also proposed budgetary allocations, spending limits and independent audits to promote accountability in the sector.
He said addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges required more than a focus on fuel prices, stressing the need to make food affordable, improve electricity supply, create jobs and support business growth.
Atiku also called for the removal of barriers preventing young Nigerians from maximising their talents and competing internationally.
“We must remove the obstacles that hold back young Nigerians with the talent to compete anywhere in the world. A speech about growth means nothing to a family that cannot afford dinner,” he said.
The former vice-president described the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council as an important milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
He commended its members as patriots and veterans of Nigeria’s democratic journey, urging them to approach their responsibilities with seriousness, urgency and commitment.
Atiku said the political and economic challenges facing the country required sustained efforts by the campaign council to mobilise Nigerians and advance the party’s objectives ahead of the election.