Atiku Abubakar launches 20 million vote drive for 2027 Nigerian presidential election

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially launched an ambitious campaign aimed at securing 20 million votes for his presidential candidacy in the 2027 general election. Abubakar inaugurated state coordinators for the RiseUpNaija Movement (RUN) in Abuja, signaling a strategic shift from coalition-building to intensive grassroots mobilization.

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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.

The RiseUpNaija Movement is designed to build a nationwide network, drawing members from various political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The movement's strategy focuses on establishing structures from the national level down to every polling unit across Nigeria.

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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.

Addressing the movement's leadership retreat, Abubakar implored young Nigerians to actively reject vote-buying and defend the integrity of the electoral process. He stressed that his presidential ambition stems from a desire to foster a nation characterized by accountable leadership, strong institutions, and widespread opportunities. "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," he stated, highlighting the impact of poor leadership on the youth.

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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.

Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, the RUN Convener, tasked the newly appointed coordinators with building a robust grassroots network capable of ensuring victory for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2027. The movement's target is to have at least 100 members in every polling unit, which would translate to approximately 17.6 million registered members nationwide. A competition among states has been announced to incentivize membership registration and structure development, with Adamawa currently leading in member numbers.

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