Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his commitment to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, saying the party must field a candidate with the experience, competence and national appeal needed to address Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Atiku said the 2027 election would require more than rhetoric and political sentiment.
According to him, Nigeria is facing economic hardship, rising insecurity, growing debt and institutional decline, making it imperative for the ADC to present what he described as its “strongest and most prepared candidate.”
“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 said.
He added that the country could not afford what he termed “a learning-on-the-job presidency.”
The former vice president stated that leadership of a complex federation like Nigeria required tested judgment, executive experience and the ability to build consensus across regions, religions and demographics.
According to him, governance should be driven by competence and practical experience rather than “social media enthusiasm” or “fashionable slogans.”
“Elections are not won on social media enthusiasm alone. Governance is not performance art. The presidency is not a platform for improvisation,” he stated.
Mr Atiku also cited his record as vice president between 1999 and 2007, saying the economic reforms carried out during the administration were evidence of his preparedness for leadership.
He said reforms in privatisation, fiscal discipline and governance contributed significantly to economic growth and debt relief during that period.
The former PDP presidential candidate further argued that defeating an incumbent government would require political strategy, resilience and broad national acceptability.
“The ADC must think beyond sentiment. It must think about victory. It must think about governance. It must think about Nigeria,” he said.
He urged ADC delegates to prioritise competence and national interest in making their decision.
“The choice before ADC delegates is not merely about ambition. It is about destiny. Nigeria deserves rescue, not rhetoric,” he added.
The statement comes amid ongoing political realignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
