The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described Nigeria as a country facing severe challenges and argued that experienced political leaders such as its 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are needed to help steer the country through the situation.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the submission on Tuesday during an interview with News Central while defending the ADC’s choice of Atiku and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 election.
Abdullahi was responding to questions about how the ADC ticket differs from that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly given that both Atiku and Amaechi have previously held public offices.
He argued that previous political experience should not automatically prevent individuals from seeking office again, saying Atiku’s experience could be useful in addressing Nigeria’s current difficulties.
Abdullahi compared the situation to South Africa’s transition from apartheid, when the African National Congress (ANC) selected Nelson Mandela despite having younger politicians within the party.
“There were younger people within the African National Congress, but for a nation that had been traumatised, the party recognised that it needed someone of a father figure, someone with experience, with maturity,” Abdullahi said.
He said the ADC viewed Atiku as capable of playing a similar role in Nigeria because of his political experience and understanding of the country’s history.
“For a traumatised country like Nigeria, because Nigeria has been traumatised. We’ve lost more people to terrorism, to banditry than we’ve ever lost at any other time in our history as a country,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson also pointed to the country’s economic conditions, arguing that Nigerians are experiencing increased financial hardship compared with previous periods.
According to Abdullahi, the combination of Atiku’s experience and Amaechi’s energy would provide the balance the party believes is needed to tackle the country’s challenges.
“You need someone with the quality of experience that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar brings. You need someone with the energy and the drive of a Rotimi Amaechi to back it up,” he said.
Source: News Central
