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Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he described as Nigeria’s economic decline, urging Nigerians to vote the party out in the 2027 general election.
Atiku spoke on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the reception of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Eyitayo Jegede, and his supporters into the ADC.
The former vice-president also called for President Bola Tinubu to leave office after the 2027 election, citing the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Atiku said the ADC would provide an alternative government focused on addressing insecurity and economic challenges, promising to restore fuel subsidy if elected.
“We are committed to restoring subsidy; we are committed to restoring security all over this country. If we are elected, no part of this country would feel insecure anymore,” Atiku said.
He also compared Nigeria’s economic position during the period he served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007 with the country’s current position.
“You know what we did between 1999 and 2007. We took Nigeria to be the first finest economy in Africa. Today, we are number five. Who is responsible for taking us down and backward? Is it not APC?” he asked.
“This is the moment for us to vote them out. And there’s this popular saying now that Tinubu must go.”
Atiku further urged ADC supporters to mobilise voters at the grassroots and protect their votes during the 2027 elections.
He cited the August 2026 Osun State governorship election as an example, urging party members to replicate what he described as high voter turnout and efforts to safeguard ballots.
Atiku said Jegede’s defection would strengthen the ADC’s structure in Ondo State and expressed confidence that the party would expand its support base across the country.
The ADC National Chairman, David Mark, who was represented at the event by the party’s National Secretary and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, also urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
Aregbesola called on party supporters to campaign from house to house, while promising that the ADC would address the rising cost of living if elected.
“You can see things are costly; we are going to bring it down,” he said.
“It is our vote that would determine the strength of our political party. As we came out today, let’s vote ADC massively.”
Jegede, who formally defected from the PDP to the ADC alongside his supporters, said he joined the party to contribute to efforts to provide what he described as a democratic alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
He cited unemployment, hardship and rising living costs among the challenges facing Nigerians.
“There is unemployment in Nigeria; you can all see it. There is hardship; you can all see that,” Jegede said.
“The suffering is too much. The journey has begun. We want a democratic government. We are sure of winning the Senate, House of Representatives and presidency. We are going to mobilise and unite to win come 2027.”
