Tinubu must go in 2027…. this is the moment for us – Atiku tells Nigerians

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians should vote President Bola Tinubu out of power in 2027, citing the rising economic hardship in the country.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), spoke in Akurem the Ondo state capital, on Thursday while receiving Eyitayo Jegede, former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, and his supporters into the party.

He said the ADC would provide an alternative government focused on tackling insecurity and economic hardship, adding that the party would restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027.

“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.

“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?

“This is the moment for us to vote them out. And there’s this popular saying now that Tinubu must go.”

Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s vice-president between 1999 and 2007, said Nigerians must use the 2027 elections to change the government.

He also cited Osun governorship election held in August as an example of the importance of voter mobilisation and protection of ballots.

The former vice-president urged ADC supporters to replicate what he described as the high turnout and efforts to protect votes during the election.

Atiku said the party would build its strength from the grassroots and expressed confidence that Jegede’s defection would strengthen the ADC in Ondo ahead of the 2027 elections.

He added that the party would mobilise voters across the country and protect its votes during the election.

David Mark, ADC national chairman, who was represented by Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s national secretary and former governor of Osun, urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Mark asked party members to “go from house to house” to campaign for ADC candidates, promising that the party 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 said he defected from the PDP to contribute to the ADC’s efforts to provide what he described as a democratic alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said unemployment, economic hardship and rising living costs as challenges that had made life difficult for many Nigerians, adding that citizens must mobilise for political change.

“There is unemployment in Nigeria; you can all see it. There is hardship; you can all see that,” he 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.”