DistantNews
Support us
2027: Atiku launches 20m-vote drive, inaugurates ADC campaign coordinators
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

2027: Atiku launches 20m-vote drive, inaugurates ADC campaign coordinators

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar launched a campaign to mobilize 20 million votes for his presidential bid in 2027.
  • He inaugurated state coordinators for the RiseUpNaija Movement, a grassroots organization.
  • Abubakar urged young Nigerians to reject vote-buying and defend the electoral process.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially launched an ambitious drive to secure 20 million votes for his presidential candidacy in the 2027 general election. Abubakar, running under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), inaugurated state coordinators for the RiseUpNaija Movement (RUN) on Saturday, signaling a strategic shift towards grassroots mobilization.

I stand before you today not merely as a former Vice President or an elder statesman, but as a lifelong democrat who has never stopped believing that Nigeria can become the great nation its people deserve.

— Atiku AbubakarDuring the inauguration of the RiseUpNaija Movement coordinators, emphasizing his democratic ideals and vision for Nigeria.

The RiseUpNaija Movement is composed of young men and women drawn from various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Addressing a leadership retreat in Abuja, Abubakar emphasized his commitment to building a Nigeria with accountable leadership and strong institutions. He expressed concern over the "brain drain" of young Nigerians, stating that many leave not due to a lack of patriotism but a feeling that their country does not reciprocate their love.

I see brilliant young people leaving Nigeria, not because they have stopped loving their country, but because they no longer believe their country loves them back.

— Atiku AbubakarExpressing concern about the emigration of young Nigerians due to perceived lack of opportunity.

Abubakar strongly warned against vote-buying, asserting that active citizen participation is paramount and can overcome "money politics." He believes that if millions of young Nigerians participate responsibly, their collective will can outweigh financial influence. "Your vote is far more valuable than any amount of money a politician can offer," he stated.

If millions of young Nigerians participate peacefully, vote responsibly and defend the integrity of the process, no amount of money can overcome the collective will of the people. Your vote is far more valuable than any amount of money a politician can offer.

— Atiku AbubakarUrging young voters to reject vote-buying and participate actively in the electoral process.

Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Convener of RUN, tasked the newly inaugurated coordinators with establishing a nationwide grassroots network to ensure victory for the ADC in 2027. The movement aims to have 20 million active voters and establish a presence in every polling unit, targeting at least 100 members per unit. This translates to approximately 17.6 million registered members across Nigeria's roughly 176,000 polling units. Adamawa state is currently leading the movement's membership drive.

Our target is to have 20 million active voters to deliver our candidate in 2027.

— Kashim Ibrahim-ImamSetting the vote mobilization goal for the RiseUpNaija Movement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog