By Abu Adamu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday moved to douse growing controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential primary, insisting that the exercise was free, fair, and transparent, despite protests and allegations trailing the contest.
Speaking while accepting his nomination as the ADC presidential candidate at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Atiku described the primary as a triumph of internal democracy and a sharp contrast to what he called the “anti-democratic culture” of the ruling APC government.
“I must state at this juncture that this is not the time to celebrate. No one was defeated because we are one party,” Atiku declared in an apparent appeal to aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders following the tense primary process.
The former Vice President specifically reached out to his rivals, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, urging them to close ranks with him in what he described as a collective mission to “save Nigeria’s democracy.”
“In particular, I invite Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” he said.
Atiku praised the party’s primary election committee for conducting what he called a peaceful and transparent exercise, insisting that ADC had demonstrated that democracy was still alive in Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
The ADC flagbearer accused the APC-led Federal Government of orchestrating crises in opposition parties through the use of security agencies, INEC, and elements within the judiciary in a bid to weaken alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, opposition politicians were being harassed and intimidated into joining the ruling party, while anti-corruption agencies were allegedly being weaponised against dissenting voices.
Atiku also condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, despite court orders granting him bail, describing the development as political persecution.
“All because he is a leading opposition figure. This kind of cruelty must stop,” he said.
The former presidential candidate warned against what he described as attempts by the Presidency and INEC to undermine the ADC coalition, vowing that any further interference in the affairs of the party would be resisted.
“Enough is enough,” he declared.
Turning to governance issues, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of driving Nigeria into economic collapse, worsening insecurity, and deepening poverty across the country.
He promised that an ADC government under his leadership would prioritise security, education, healthcare, economic recovery, and restructuring.
On insecurity, he lamented the increasing killings across the country, including attacks on military personnel, saying the current administration had failed to take decisive action.
“An ADC government under my leadership will take decisive action to address insecurity and protect lives and property,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the APC government’s handling of the economy, alleging that the benefits of subsidy removal had not translated into improved welfare for Nigerians.
“The savings from subsidy removal have not been accounted for, and the economic hardship resulting from the action has been unbearable,” he stated.
He pledged free and compulsory primary and secondary education, improved healthcare infrastructure, and policies aimed at attracting investments and creating jobs.
Atiku said the ADC coalition was built on sacrifices and compromise, stressing that the opposition alliance was determined to stop what he described as Nigeria’s drift towards a one-party state.
“We have gone through great challenges to build this coalition,” he said. “Let us now turn our energies to continuing to build this party as we prepare for the campaign to win the elections and rescue this country from the current misrule.”
He concluded by assuring party members that he was ready to work with all factions within the ADC to build a united platform ahead of the general election.
“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,” he said.