2027: APC Offers ‘Meaningless Renewed Hope,’ ADC’ll Deliver Action — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, has launched a strong attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing its “Renewed Hope” agenda as ineffective and disconnected from Nigeria’s realities.

Atiku made the remarks shortly after emerging victorious at the ADC presidential primary held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where he polled 1,846,370 votes out of 2,527,977 valid votes cast. Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, scored 504,117 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.

Addressing party members after his victory, Atiku said the ADC primary demonstrated that democracy remained alive within the opposition despite alleged attempts to weaken it.

“We demonstrated that 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,” he said.

He accused the APC-led Federal Government of deepening hardship, insecurity and political repression, alleging interference in opposition parties and democratic institutions.

“As I speak, virtually all opposition political parties in the country have leadership crises engineered by the APC government, the INEC and elements in the judiciary,” Atiku claimed.

He further alleged that anti-corruption agencies were being used selectively against opposition politicians.

“Under this government, once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear,” he said.

Atiku also criticised the worsening insecurity in the country, describing it as nationwide and unprecedented.

“Every region of this country is gripped by insecurity, the worst kind in our history,” he stated.

He promised that an ADC administration would strengthen the military, police and intelligence agencies through better funding, recruitment, training and modern equipment.

On the economy, he faulted government policies on subsidy removal and rising debt, saying Nigerians were bearing the burden of mismanaged public resources.

Atiku also raised concerns about education and healthcare, claiming that over 20 million Nigerian children are currently out of school and promising free basic education if elected.

He further alleged underfunding in the health sector, saying critical institutions had been neglected.

Drawing a contrast with the APC, Atiku said: “Where the APC government offers meaningless renewed hope, we will provide renewed action to repair the damage they have done to our economy and society in the last twelve years of misrule.”

He called for unity within the ADC and urged fellow aspirants Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join him in what he described as a national rescue mission ahead of 2027.