The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said the party plans to train more than 1.5 million youths through its support groups to protect its votes at polling units across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at a town hall meeting organised by the party’s support groups.
He said the 2027 election would provide Nigerians with another opportunity to make the right choice, urging citizens and party supporters not to shy away from doing what was right.
Represented at the event, Atiku urged leaders of the support groups to mobilise voters at the grassroots with the aim of taking over the leadership of the country.
He also cautioned the groups against vote buying and urged them to resist attempts to influence their decisions with money or promises.
“I advise you all to resist being lured into betraying your conscience. They should avoid being lured with money and promises from the ruling APC,” he said.
Atiku said he was contesting the presidency with the intention of contributing to the development of Nigeria. He also said his running mate, Chibuzor Amaechi, would succeed him after one term, adding that Nigerians would desire his return for a second term after witnessing the transformation recorded during his first four years.
Former ADC National Chairman, Chief Okey Nwaosu, said the party had about 1,500 support groups that would help monitor and protect the electoral process during the 2027 campaign.
He expressed concern over what he described as attempts by security agencies allegedly controlled by the ruling party to weaken opposition groups.
Nwaosu said the opposition would remain resilient despite the challenges, insisting that the party would continue its efforts until victory was achieved.
In his opening address, Alhaji Hashim Imam said many Nigerians had concluded that the APC-led administration should be replaced in 2027.
He listed insecurity, the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic challenges among the issues affecting Nigerians, urging youths and support groups to mobilise for political change.
Imam also disclosed that the party had established several committees among its support groups, including a vote protection committee and a logistics committee.
He said elections were no longer won merely in Abuja but at polling units, urging supporters to ensure adequate representation at polling units across the country.
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Waziri Maina, also urged the support groups to rise to the occasion and work towards what he described as the redemption of the country.
In his keynote address, Senator Dino Melaye warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against what he described as repeated invitations and harassment of Atiku.
Melaye also reiterated the party’s support for the restoration of fuel subsidy, saying the ADC would not tolerate what he described as intimidation of its presidential candidate.
The ADC National Women Leader, Mrs Naomi Nasara, called on youths to join efforts to rescue the country and urged Nigerian women to protect their votes and resist harassment at polling units.
She also introduced the slogan, “one woman, 10 votes,” as part of the party’s mobilisation strategy.
Atiku’s spokesperson, Barrister Kenneth, said opposition parties needed a unified message to defeat the incumbent administration, noting that despite differences in their voices, they shared a common political objective.
Another ADC chieftain, Okonkwo, called for the restoration of fuel subsidy, arguing that the party’s campaign should focus on improving the lives of Nigerians.
He said the ADC’s message must be people-centred and capable of connecting citizens to a common purpose of improving the country.
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