2027 election a rescue mission for Nigerians says Atiku
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).
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, made the call during the inauguration of the party’s presidential campaign Council (ADC-PCC) on Friday in Abuja.
He said the election was a rescue mission, urging Nigerians to participate by voting for candidates capable of improving their welfare and making life affordable again.
“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 the campaign council members to take the message to communities nationwide, mobilising Nigerians to vote for recovery and improved living conditions.
He said electoral transparency was essential to democracy, stressing that policies and security plans would achieve little if citizens’ votes were stolen during elections.
Atiku said Nigerians must trust that votes cast would be accurately counted, adding that democracy depended on respecting citizens’ sovereignty and protecting their electoral choices.
He said accredited party agents, civil society organisations and observers should be allowed to verify results independently, noting that such activities would complement INEC’s responsibilities.
“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 former vice-president called for severe penalties for vote suppression, result manipulation and electoral fraud, describing such safeguards as necessary measures for protecting the people’s mandate.
Atiku condemned attempts to prevent opposition candidates from campaigning in Benue, insisting that no community should become inaccessible to opposition political parties.
He pledged that ADC candidates would campaign across all states, from coastal communities to northern regions, and resist unlawful attempts to restrict their political activities.
On petroleum policy, Atiku advocated support for products refined locally and sold domestically, proposing budgetary allocations, spending caps and independent audits to ensure accountability.
“Fuel is only one part of the damage. We must make food affordable, restore reliable power, put people to work and let businesses grow. We must secure the roads and farms.
“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 stated.
Atiku said the inauguration of the ADC-PCC marked an important moment, describing members as patriots and veterans of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He urged council members to approach their assignments with seriousness, urgency and commitment, saying the political moment required sustained efforts to achieve the party’s objectives. (NAN)
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