Ahead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged delegates to prioritise competence, experience and national acceptability in selecting the party’s flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, warned delegates against relying solely on social media popularity and sentiments in determining the party’s presidential candidate.
The former Nigerian leader said Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, rising debt profile, insecurity and institutional decline require a leader with proven governance capacity rather than what he described as “political experimentation.”
Without directly mentioning any rival aspirant, Atiku took a swipe at candidates enjoying strong online support, insisting that elections are won through structures, strategy and governance experience.
“This is not a season for political experimentation. Nigeria cannot afford a learning-on-the-job presidency,” Atiku stated.
“Elections are not won on social media enthusiasm alone. Governance is not performance art. The presidency is not a platform for improvisation. The ADC must present to Nigerians its strongest, most credible, most prepared candidate — not merely its loudest,” he said.
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The former presidential candidate described the decision before ADC delegates as a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, stressing that the country requires a leader capable of governing effectively from day one.
“At a time when Nigeria is bleeding from every pore — crippled by economic hardship, insecurity, rising debt, institutional failure, and deepening hopelessness — the question before the ADC is simple: who has the capacity not merely to campaign, but to govern effectively from day one?” he asked.
Atiku argued that the nation needs a leader who has negotiated internationally, managed crises, built coalitions and articulated a practical roadmap for economic recovery and national renewal.
Referencing his role during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku cited economic reforms implemented during that era as evidence of his preparedness for the presidency.
“The economic reforms that helped reposition Nigeria, the privatisation drive that opened sectors, the fiscal discipline that contributed to debt relief, and the governance reforms of that era were not accidents. They were products of leadership, competence, and courage,” he said.
He further challenged ADC delegates to distinguish between symbolic politics and electoral viability ahead of the 2027 election.
“ADC delegates must ask themselves: do we want to make a statement, or do we want to make a president?” he queried.
According to him, defeating incumbent President Bola Tinubu in 2027 would require more than emotional momentum, stressing the need for a candidate with broad national appeal and tested political structures.
“The ADC must think beyond sentiment. It must think about victory. It must think about governance. It must think about Nigeria. This is a defining election. The party needs a candidate with national acceptability, political resilience, tested structures, and the capacity to unify disparate interests into one winning coalition,” he added.
Atiku urged delegates to rise above personal ambitions and focus on what he described as Nigeria’s urgent need for rescue and renewal.
“History will remember this moment. The choice before ADC delegates is not merely about ambition. It is about destiny. Nigeria deserves rescue, not rhetoric,” he declared.
