The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his appeal extends beyond northern Nigeria.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed this during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, saying no state would be excluded from the campaign.
He said the detailed campaign schedule would be released soon, adding that the former vice-president would engage voters through rallies, town hall meetings, community visits and interactions in local government areas and villages.
“We are going to release our schedule in a few days. Or in a few hours. And you will see for yourself. You will be able to interrogate for yourself. That look, Atiku Abubakar, no state will be left out,” Shaibu said.
He explained that the campaign would go beyond rallies in state capitals to give Atiku opportunities to interact directly with Nigerians and understand their concerns.
“We are not going to limit our campaign to just state capital or to just rallies. Atiku is already connected with the people. The people are hungry. People are dying. Do you understand? He needs to connect with them. He needs to listen to them,” he said.
ADC links Atiku’s campaign to economic hardship
Shaibu argued that economic hardship affects Nigerians across the country, regardless of their location, and predicted that the situation would influence voting patterns in the 2027 election.
“The man who is hungry in Zamfara is the same as the man who is hungry in Lagos. Forget the noise,” he said.
The campaign spokesman maintained that Atiku’s appeal was not restricted to the North, expressing confidence that Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living would support the ADC candidate.
“Hungry Nigerians will vote for Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s pathway is not limited to Northern Nigeria. Atiku’s pathway is across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he said.
Asked which southern states Atiku expected to win, Shaibu expressed confidence in the former vice-president’s nationwide prospects.
“I will not just be bold, I will be audacious about it. Atiku will win the entire country,” he declared.
His remarks represent the campaign council’s expectations, while the eventual electoral outcome will depend on voters’ decisions.
Tinubu limits campaign appearances to 12 states
The ADC’s proposed nationwide campaign contrasts with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his personal participation in All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rallies to 12 states ahead of the 2027 election.
Tinubu announced his position on October 14 while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, explaining that he needed to balance electioneering with his responsibilities as president.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” the President said.
He also cited the country’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors as reasons for not accompanying the campaign team to every state.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” he added.
According to a reported APC campaign timetable, Tinubu was scheduled to attend rallies in 12 states, beginning in Kaduna on October 24 and ending in Lagos on January 9, 2027.
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, political parties are preparing to mobilise voters across the country. The ADC’s detailed campaign itinerary is expected to provide further information on how Atiku plans to reach voters in the different states.
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