Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called for stronger mobilisation of women as his political group, Atiku Pulse, begins its grassroots campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku made the call in Abuja at the weekend during the unveiling of Atiku Pulse alongside his political ally and promoter of the group, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam.
The former Vice President said Nigeria urgently needed a new direction, particularly in job creation and security, adding that addressing unemployment would require massive recruitment into the Police, Army, Air Force, Navy and other security agencies.
According to Atiku, the incumbent governments have failed to adequately tackle the country’s challenges because their leaders are more concerned about themselves than the welfare of Nigerians.
Speaking on the initiative, Ibrahim-Imam attributed Nigeria’s difficulties to what he described as “the failure of leadership” and the irresponsibility of leaders.
“We have bandits as leaders. This is the problem. Things are not working in our country,” he said.
Ibrahim-Imam said Nigeria possessed abundant human and natural resources that could transform the country if properly harnessed.
“If things are working in our country, I wouldn’t be standing before you.
“If things are working in our country, Atiku Abubakar would not be contesting the presidency. He is still sacrificing himself because things have not worked,” he said.
He identified crude oil, gold, limestone and bauxite among Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, but criticised the lack of leaders he said were genuinely committed to developing the country.
“We don’t have leaders who are committed to this country,” he said.
Ibrahim-Imam said Atiku’s ambition extended beyond winning the presidency, arguing that the former Vice President was committed to building a country that works for all Nigerians.
“It is not enough for him to be elected president. It is not enough for the APC to form a new government.
“He is committed to a Nigeria that simply works for every single one of us, and I don’t think that is too much to ask for,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Atiku would win the 2027 presidential election while warning against any attempt to rig the poll.
“I want to assure you we are going to win this election,” he said.
“I hear people talk about rigging. Nobody is going to rig the next election. We’ll be there to ensure it is not rigged. And you have a role to play.”
Ibrahim-Imam also disclosed that more than 200,000 mobilisers had already been registered through Atiku’s political structure and Price of Nigeria.
He said Price of Nigeria had registered about 105,000 mobilisers, while Atiku’s structure had approximately 95,000.
Also speaking at the event, the convener and chief strategist of Atiku Pulse, Engr Nuhu Ajana, outlined five priority areas he said would form the foundation of an Atiku administration.
The areas are economic revival, security restructuring, education and human capital development, national unity, and the strengthening of democratic and anti-corruption institutions.
Ajana said the proposed economic agenda would focus on massive job creation, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and making strategic investments in agriculture, manufacturing and the digital economy.
On security, he proposed restructuring and adequately equipping the security forces, alongside the use of technology and community policing to restore safety and public confidence.
He said education, skills acquisition and youth employment would also receive priority as part of efforts to build a competitive Nigeria capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.
On national unity, Ajana promised an inclusive administration based on fairness and equity. He also pledged to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission, judiciary and anti-corruption institutions.
Ajana said Atiku Pulse coordinators were already engaging voters at the grassroots and taking the group’s campaign message to communities in different languages.
He further disclosed plans to establish a central command and situation room on election day to receive and transmit real-time reports to a national monitoring centre.
“From the opening of polls to the final announcement of the results by the National Electoral Commission, that is INEC, Atiku Pulse will stand firm,” he said.
He added that the group would mobilise “an army of disciplined, patriotic and law-abiding coordinators” across the country.
“We are resisting through all lawful and democratic means any attempt to subvert or manipulate the sovereign will of the Nigerian people in 2027,” Ajana said.
On his part, the Director-General of the group, Haruna Abubakar, said polling unit coordinators would be appointed and mobilised across the country before the end of the month.
He urged members to take the mobilisation exercise seriously, stressing the need for the group to work at the grassroots to achieve its target.
“As you all know, Kashim has charged us to go down to the trenches, to the grassroots. We have to ensure that we mobilise and sensitise people,” he said.
Abubakar also warned that state coordinators who failed to produce the expected results would be removed from their positions.
“I wouldn’t hesitate, sir, to fire any state coordinator from today that don’t give us the necessary results,” he said.
He further pledged that Atiku would not record zero votes in any polling unit during the 2027 election.
“Atiku, my principal, the incoming president of Nigeria, would have no, would not score zero in any polling unit as far as the election is concerned,” Abubakar said.
Source: Atiku Pulse
