Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally accepted the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that democracy in Nigeria is “being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government.”
Speaking at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, after securing the party’s nomination, Atiku warned that any further attempt by the Presidency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or the judiciary to interfere in the affairs of the ADC “will be fiercely resisted.”
“Enough is enough,” he declared.
Democracy Alive and Well in ADC
The former Vice President contrasted the state of democracy in Nigeria with the internal practices of his new party.
“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,” Atiku said.
“In our party, members are allowed to express their views, to have ambitions and to contest for elective positions in a free, fair and transparent process.”
He described the ADC as “a coalition built through hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises,” guided by a determination to rescue Nigeria’s democracy, which he said “is facing its greatest threat since the return to democratic rule in 1999.”
El-Rufai’s Detention, Opposition Harassment
Atiku accused the APC government of engineering leadership crises in virtually all opposition political parties, using INEC and elements in the judiciary. He also alleged that opposition figures continue to be harassed and intimidated.
He specifically referenced the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who he said “has been in detention for three months despite court orders granting him bail.”
“He has been denied the right to celebrate two important religious holidays with his family in addition to being denied the opportunity to be by his mother’s side as she took her last breath. All because he is a leading opposition figure! This kind of cruelty must stop,” Atiku said.
He further alleged that “once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear. This abuse of power must stop.”
Warning Against Deregistration Attempts
Atiku disclosed that the government and INEC have been trying to deregister the ADC, warning that such interference would not be tolerated.
“Let me warn that any further attempt to interfere in the affairs of the party by the Presidency, INEC and judiciary will be fiercely resisted. Enough is enough,” he stated.
Call for Unity Among Contestants
The presidential candidate congratulated his fellow contestants for the ticket, acknowledging that they are driven by “patriotism and commitment to a better Nigeria and improved life for our people.”
However, he emphasized that “this is not the time to celebrate. No one was defeated because we are one party and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment.”
He called on all party members to unite “to work to pull our country and our people out of the destructive grip of a corrupt, incompetent and polarising APC government.”
Invitation to Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen
Atiku extended a specific invitation to former Rivers State Governor, Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join the fight to save Nigeria’s democracy.
“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership. I am ready to lead,” he said.
Policy Priorities: Security, Education, Economy, Healthcare
The ADC presidential candidate outlined five priority areas for his campaign: Security, Education, the Economy, Healthcare, and power-sharing among the constituent units of the country.
On Security:
“Every region of this country is gripped by insecurity, the worst kind in our history. Our people are being slaughtered in large numbers and the government has failed to take decisive and effective action to stop it and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Atiku said.
He noted that “members of our security forces, including military generals, are being slaughtered wantonly” and that the government’s response has been “silence and, on occasion, expression of condolence and empty promises.”
An ADC government under his leadership, he promised, would strengthen the armed forces, police, and other security agencies with “massive new recruitment, provision of modern and adequate equipment, training, improved welfare and effective leadership.”
On Education:
Atiku criticized the APC government for allowing “over 20 million of our school-age children” to remain out of school, describing the situation as intolerable.
“We will, therefore, implement free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels and invest in leadership, entrepreneurial, technological and innovation skills amongst our teeming youth,” he pledged.
On the Economy:
The former Vice President accused the APC government of failing woefully on the economy, stating that “the poverty gripping our people is at a level that we have never seen in our history.”
He alleged that external borrowing has reached “30 billion dollars in the last three years” and that the borrowed funds are “given away in contracts to friends and cronies of those in government without competitive bidding and with no pretensions of due process.”
“The future of our younger generation is being mortgaged with no accountability. That has to change and will change under an ADC government,” he said.
On Healthcare:
Atiku revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health received “only 30 million naira for capital expenditure in the preceding fiscal year,” calling it clear evidence “that this government doesn’t care about the health of our people.”
An ADC government, he said, would “make massive investments in primary healthcare,” properly equip medical centres of excellence, and incentivise the private sector to establish world-class medical facilities across the country.
‘Meaningless Renewed Hope’ vs ‘Renewed Action’
Atiku concluded with a sharp contrast between the APC government and his proposed ADC administration.
“Fellow citizens, where the APC government offers meaningless renewed hope, we will provide renewed action to repair the damage that they have done to our economy and society in the last twelve years of misrule,” he said.
He appealed to all aggrieved party members to close ranks, emphasizing that “we have a sacred responsibility to build a party that will stand as a great institution not only in Nigeria but as a great example to the world.”
“I am ready to lead. I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and, if Nigerians give us the mandate, govern with you to build a country that works for all,” Atiku concluded.
