Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigerians are prepared to unseat the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections, citing growing dissatisfaction with the current administration.
Atiku also pledged to back whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, stressing the need for unity among opposition forces ahead of the polls.
Speaking during an interview with DW Hausa on Saturday, the former vice president said prevailing economic and social conditions under President Bola Tinubu had heightened public desire for a change in leadership.
He stated, “Nigerians are yearning for change and are ready to pursue it. The current situation has pushed many to the limit, and they are determined to do more than they did in the last elections.”
Atiku assured that aspirants within the ADC would rally behind the eventual flag bearer, noting that the number of contenders within the party remained relatively small compared to previous contests in the Peoples Democratic Party.
On youth participation, he said the ADC was increasingly dominated by young people seeking elective offices across various levels, describing the development as a positive shift towards inclusiveness.
According to him, “Young people are now taking up key roles within the party, from grassroots positions to national offices. Our responsibility is to create opportunities and allow them to lead.”
He dismissed concerns that recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and internal party issues could weaken the ADC, insisting that the party continued to gain traction nationwide.
Atiku attributed the party’s challenges to its rising profile, alleging that entrenched interests were unsettled by its growing acceptance.
On insecurity, particularly in the northern region, he linked the situation to widespread youth unemployment and limited access to education, urging governments to prioritise human capital development.
He said, “The level of insecurity we are witnessing, especially in the North, is largely driven by unemployment and poor access to education. Many young people are out of school, and those who graduate have limited opportunities.”
The former vice president also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of corruption, accusing it of failing to take decisive action.
He alleged that corruption remained pervasive and that authorities had not shown sufficient commitment to addressing the problem.
