By Dennis Okechukwu
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has vowed not to allow President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig him out of the 2027 presidential election, as he alleged happened during the 2023 polls.
Atiku made the declaration on Wednesday in Sokoto while formally flagging off his presidential campaign, urging party supporters to mobilise voters, protect their votes and ensure that every ballot is counted and announced as cast.
Speaking partly in Hausa, the former vice president called on ADC members and supporters to involve their families, friends and well-wishers in the mobilisation effort ahead of the 2027 general election.
“I appeal to every one of you to come out, mobilise your families, your friends and all well-wishers. Vote massively, protect your vote and make sure your vote is counted and announced.
“We will not allow what happened in the last elections to happen anymore. We will not allow Tinubu and APC to rig us out like they did in 2023,” he declared.
Atiku also expressed appreciation that the campaign flag-off took place despite what he described as attempts by the Sokoto State Government to prevent the event.
“The state government never wanted this event to hold, but by the grace of God, we are here today. This is a great party and a great force in West Africa,” he said.
Outlining some of his proposed policies, the ADC presidential candidate promised to tackle insecurity across the country, restore fuel subsidy to cushion the effects of economic hardship and reopen Nigeria’s borders to encourage legitimate trade with neighbouring countries, particularly in the northern region.
He also pledged to improve the economic well-being of Nigerians and ensure that the country’s wealth benefits citizens across different sections of society.
“We are also promising to return wealth to the people, to all the people, to everybody in this country,” he added.
Earlier, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, expressed satisfaction with the reception accorded the party’s leaders and supporters, particularly the large crowd that welcomed them from the airport to the campaign venue.
Mark suggested that the massive turnout explained why the government was allegedly uncomfortable with the party’s presence in the state.
“I saw the mammoth crowd from the airport to this venue. Now I can see why the government was jittery for us to come here to hold this rally. If I were in government, I would also be afraid with this number of supporters,” he said.
The campaign flag-off attracted several prominent political figures, including former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi; the ADC governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya; and other national leaders of the political coalition.
The event had earlier faced uncertainty following the sealing of the ADC campaign office by the Sokoto State Urban and Regional Planning Board over alleged planning approval violations.
However, the opposition party had described the action as politically motivated, while proceeding with its campaign activities.