Accepting his nomination in Abuja, the former vice president accuses Tinubu’s government of strangling democracy and pledges action on security, economy and education if elected next year.
By DANJUMA AMODU
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was on Tuesday formally endorsed as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, using his acceptance speech to mount a blistering attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress and to promise a programme of “renewed action” to address insecurity, poverty and what he called the collapse of democracy.
Speaking at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on 27 May 2026, Atiku told delegates he was “truly humbled and excited” by the nomination, describing the ADC as a coalition forged “through hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises” to save Nigerian democracy.
“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.”
Atiku alleged that “virtually all opposition political parties in the country have leadership crises engineered by the APC government, INEC and elements in the judiciary,” and claimed opposition figures were being harassed, detained and coerced into joining the APC.
He cited the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who he said had been held for three months despite court orders granting bail. “He has been denied the right to celebrate two important religious holidays with his family in addition to being denied the opportunity to be by his mother’s side as she took her last breath. All because he is a leading opposition figure. This kind of cruelty must stop,” Atiku stated.
The ADC candidate warned against further interference in party affairs.
“Let me warn that any further attempt to interfere in the affairs of the party by the Presidency, INEC and the judiciary will be fiercely resisted. Enough is enough.”
Atiku appealed to fellow contestants, naming Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, to unite behind him. “I know that, like me, you are deeply concerned about the rapid descent of our country into economic disaster, catastrophic insecurity, extreme nepotism, political intolerance and the drive towards a one-party state,” he said.
Outlining priorities for an ADC government, he pledged to tackle insecurity through “massive new recruitment, provision of modern and adequate equipment, training, improved welfare and effective leadership” for the armed forces and police.
On education, he promised free and compulsory schooling at primary and secondary levels, arguing that “over 20 million of our school-age children are not in school” under the APC.
He accused the Tinubu administration of economic failure, saying:
“The poverty gripping our people is at a level that we have never seen in our history. The government brandishes statistics claiming that the economy is growing. But what has really been growing is the ill-gotten wealth of a few.”
Atiku added that external borrowing had reached $30 billion in three years and alleged contracts were being awarded to “friends and cronies” without due process.
On healthcare, he criticised the Federal Ministry of Health for receiving “only 30 million naira for capital expenditure in the preceding fiscal year,” calling it evidence of a government that “doesn’t care about the health of our people”.
“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,” Atiku declared.
He concluded by urging aggrieved party members to “close ranks,” stating: “I am ready to lead. I shall work with you all to continue to build our party.”
The general election is scheduled for early next year.
