Atiku Accepts ADC Presidential Ticket, Vows to “Rescue Nigeria’s Democracy” from APC

 

ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accepted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, pledging to lead a broad coalition to “rescue” Nigeria’s democracy from what he described as APC’s oppressive rule.

In his acceptance speech, Atiku said the ADC primary proved that democracy remains alive in the party despite what he called attempts by the ruling APC and state institutions to stifle opposition politics nationwide.

“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he said. “In our party, members are allowed to express their views, to have ambitions and to contest for elective positions in a free, fair and transparent process.”

Coalition built to ‘save democracy’

Atiku described the ADC as a coalition forged through “hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises” to counter the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy since 1999. He accused the APC government, working with elements in INEC and the judiciary, of engineering leadership crises in virtually all opposition parties and harassing dissenting voices.

He cited the continued detention of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who he said had been held for three months despite court orders granting bail, and had been barred from religious holidays and from seeing his mother before her death. 

“The government continues to harass, intimidate and coerce opposition politicians to join the APC using the security agencies as well as the agencies which were set up by a previous government to fight corruption,” Atiku said. “Once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear. This abuse of power must stop.”

Warning to INEC, Presidency, judiciary 

Atiku warned that any further attempt by the Presidency, INEC, or the judiciary to interfere with the ADC would be “fiercely resisted,” adding: “Enough is enough.”

He congratulated fellow aspirants Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen, urging them and other aggrieved members to close ranks. “There are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership. I am ready to lead. I shall work with you all to continue to build our party,” he said.

Policy priorities: Security, education, economy, healthcare

Outlining his agenda, Atiku said an ADC government would prioritize security, education, the economy, healthcare, and equitable power-sharing among Nigeria’s federating units.

On security, he accused the government of failing to stop widespread killings and of neglecting the armed forces. He promised “massive new recruitment, provision of modern and adequate equipment, training, improved welfare and effective leadership” for security agencies, alongside better coordination and accountability.

For education, he pledged free and compulsory primary and secondary education, noting that over 20 million school-age children remain out of school under the APC. He also promised investment in technical, entrepreneurial and innovation skills, and improved teacher welfare.

On the economy, Atiku criticized the APC’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and borrowing, saying savings had not been accounted for while poverty deepened. He committed to fixing Nigeria’s energy crisis, removing investment bottlenecks, and attracting local and foreign investment to create jobs.

In healthcare, he said the ADC would prioritize primary care and invest in medical centers of excellence to reduce medical tourism. He cited the Federal Ministry of Health’s reported ₦30 million capital allocation in the previous fiscal year as evidence of neglect.

Call for unity and campaign ahead

Atiku said the real work begins now, with a platform to be rolled out in the coming weeks detailing policies and timelines. “Where the APC government offers meaningless renewed hope, we will provide renewed action to repair the damage that they have done to our economy and society in the last twelve years of misrule,” he said.

He thanked the primary election committee, party organs, volunteers, and members for conducting what he called a peaceful, free, fair and transparent process.

“May God bless you and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.