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, Peak Newspaper reports.
Atiku spoke on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Akure, Ondo State, during the formal 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, linking his position to what he described as the growing economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
Atiku said the ADC would offer what he described as an alternative government focused on tackling insecurity and economic challenges. He also reiterated his promise to restore fuel subsidy if the party wins the 2027 election.
“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 between 1999 and 2007, when he served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the country’s current economic 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 ensure that votes cast during the 2027 elections are protected and properly counted.
He cited the August 2026 Osun State governorship election as an example, pointing to the voter turnout and efforts to protect ballots during the election. He urged ADC supporters in Ondo State and other parts of the country to replicate what he described as the Osun experience.
The ADC presidential candidate also described Jegede’s entry into the party as a boost to its political structure in Ondo State and expressed confidence that the development would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jegede, who contested the Ondo governorship election twice on the PDP platform, formally joined the ADC alongside his supporters at the Akure event. He said his decision was driven by the need to contribute to what he described as the search for a democratic alternative amid unemployment, hardship and rising living costs.
“There is unemployment in Nigeria; you can all see it. There is hardship; you can all see that. The suffering is too much. The journey has begun,” Jegede said.
He expressed confidence in the ADC’s prospects in the 2027 elections, saying members of the party would mobilise and unite across the country.
“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,” he added.
The National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, was represented at the event by the party’s National Secretary and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola also called on ADC supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign for the party ahead of the general election.
He said the rising cost of living was a major concern and promised that an ADC administration would work to reduce the cost of living if elected.
“You can see things are costly; we are going to bring it down,” Aregbesola said.
“It is our vote that would determine the strength of our political party. As we came out today, let’s vote ADC massively.”
The development comes as political parties and opposition groups intensify their preparations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with the ADC positioning itself as an alternative platform to the APC and other major political parties.
