Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, launched his campaign for the 2027 presidential election on Saturday, maintaining that his bid is rooted in national reform rather than personal ambition.
Addressing delegates at the RiseUpNaija Movement Leadership Retreat in Abuja, Atiku called on young voters to actively guard the integrity of the ballot box and resist vote-buying.
“I am not seeking office for its privileges,” Atiku declared. “I seek it because I still believe in the Nigeria that is 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.”
He stressed that financial inducements would fail to override the public’s choice if young voters participated peacefully and responsibly to protect the process.
The retreat coincided with the formal inauguration of state coordinators for the RiseUpNaija Movement, a youth mobilisation platform incorporating members from various political factions, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP. The group has endorsed Atiku’s 2027 presidential campaign under the ADC umbrella.
Key figures present alongside the former vice-president included his political associate, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, and the founding National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu.
The event takes place amid wider efforts by opposition factions to construct robust grassroots networks to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The convener of the movement, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, tasked the newly inaugurated state representatives with building a network across all 176,000 polling units nationwide, aiming for at least 100 members per unit to secure 20 million active voters for the candidate. He also announced a month-long registration contest among state chapters, noting that Adamawa State currently leads the membership drive.
Earlier in the event, Salihu Yakasai, Chairman of the RiseUpNaija Coordinating Council, outlined the organisation’s mandate to restore public faith in democracy by extending active structures down to every local government, ward, and polling unit across the country.
Reflecting on his years in public life, Atiku described himself as a lifelong democrat whose commitment to the country’s potential remains intact despite decades of political struggle.
“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.”
Describing the youth as Nigeria’s single greatest asset, Atiku criticised the political establishment for treating young citizens as a population to be manipulated during election cycles rather than potential leaders. He noted that despite the remarkable drive shown by young entrepreneurs, engineers, and creators, widespread talent remains constrained by systemic failures, rising overhead costs, and a lack of employment.
He urged the electorate to prioritise integrity and vision over immediate campaign incentives in 2027.
“In 2027, let us vote for competence. Let us vote for character. Let us vote for ideas. Let us vote for the future,” Atiku said. “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.”