Atiku to youths: Don’t sell your votes

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has charged youths across the country to participate actively in the 2027 electioneering process and not to sell their votes.

Atiku stated this at the inauguration of state coordinators of the RiseUpNaija Movement (RUN), a support group within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Saturday in Abuja.

Atiku, who is also the ADC’s 2027 presidential candidate, noted that he is not seeking the office of president for its privileges, but to see a country “capable of becoming a nation where leadership is accountable, institutions are strong, opportunities are abundant and every citizen, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.”

According to him, he has spent the better part of his life fighting for democracy, justice and the progress of Nigeria, adding that time has given him experience, but it has not diminished his conviction.

“The fire that inspired me as a young student activist still burns today because every day I see millions of young Nigerians denied opportunities that should have been theirs.

“I stand before you today not merely as a former Vice President or an elder statesman, but as a lifelong democrat who has never stopped believing that Nigeria can become the great nation its people deserve,” Atiku stated.

The ADC candidate, who charged the youths not to sell their votes, implored them to vote for integrity and competence in the 2027 general election.

He said, “Your vote is far more valuable than any amount of money a politician can offer. Do not exchange four years of your future for one afternoon of inducement.

‎”A bag of rice will disappear. A few thousand naira will be spent. A campaign T-shirt will eventually fade. But the consequences of electing incompetent leadership will remain with you long after the campaign has ended.”

According to him, “If millions of young Nigerians participate peacefully, vote responsibly and defend the integrity of the process, no amount of money can overcome the collective will of the people.”

Convener of the RiseUpNaija Movement, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while inaugurating the state coordinators, challenged them to intensify membership registration and establish structures across the country, saying:

“Our target is to have 20 million active voters to deliver our candidate in 2027.

‎”We must have a presence in every polling unit. Our target is to have at least 100 members in every polling unit,” Imam said.