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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will campaign in all 36 states of the federation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his political ambition extends beyond northern Nigeria.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the former vice-president would engage voters across the country through rallies, town hall meetings and direct interactions with communities.
Shaibu made the disclosure during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, dismissing suggestions that Atiku’s campaign would concentrate mainly on the North.
He said the campaign timetable would be released soon and assured Nigerians that no state would be excluded from the former vice-president’s campaign activities.
“We are going to release our schedule in a few days. Or in a few hours. And you will see for yourself. You will be able to interrogate for yourself. That look, Atiku Abubakar, no state will be left out,” Shaibu said.
He explained that the campaign would go beyond rallies in state capitals to reach residents in local government areas, villages and other communities.
According to him, the strategy is designed to give Atiku the opportunity to listen to Nigerians and understand the economic challenges confronting households across the country.
“We are not going to limit our campaign to just state capital or to just rallies. Atiku is already connected with the people. The people are hungry. People are dying. Do you understand? He needs to connect with them. He needs to listen to them,” he said.
Shaibu argued that the economic hardship affecting Nigerians was not restricted to any particular region, insisting that the cost of living could become a major factor in the 2027 election.
“As for the pathway, I’ll tell you. Our pathway is clear and simple. The man who is hungry in Zamfara is the same as the man who is hungry in Lagos. Forget the noise,” he added.
The ADC spokesman also expressed confidence that Atiku could attract support across the country, including in southern states where the former vice-president would need to win voters to strengthen his presidential bid.
Asked which southern states Atiku expected to win, Shaibu said he was confident of the candidate’s chances nationwide.
“I will not just be bold, I will be audacious about it. Atiku will win the entire country,” he declared.
Shaibu’s comments come against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his personal participation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rallies to 12 states, citing the need to balance electioneering with the responsibilities of governance.
Tinubu announced his position on October 14 while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, saying the demands of governing the country would prevent him from accompanying the campaign team to every state.
The President said Nigeria required his attention, particularly in meeting financial obligations and attracting investment.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” Tinubu said.
He added: “So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait.”
According to a campaign timetable reported by Punch, Tinubu is scheduled to attend rallies in 12 states, beginning with Kaduna on October 24 and ending with Lagos on January 9, 2027.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, the ADC’s proposed nationwide campaign signals its intention to compete for voters across regional and political boundaries.
However, Shaibu’s declaration that Atiku could win across the country remains a campaign projection, with the former vice-president’s actual electoral prospects likely to depend on the ADC’s organisation, its campaign message and its ability to secure support from voters in the different states.
