Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has affirmed his willingness to help whoever emerges because the get together’s flagbearer within the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku additionally dismissed issues that the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) might undermine the ADC, noting that the get together continues to draw members throughout the nation.
INEC had on Wednesday introduced it might halt additional communication with the get together’s management and wouldn’t monitor its nationwide conference scheduled for April 14, citing a court docket ruling. Nevertheless, the ADC rejected the choice, accusing the fee of misinterpreting the judgment and insisting it might proceed with its deliberate conference and actions.
Talking in an interview with DW Hausa, Atiku alleged that vested pursuits had been behind the get together’s challenges, attributing the scenario to its rising reputation.
On the difficulty of the get together’s presidential ticket, he reiterated his dedication to get together unity.
“We’ll help and endorse whoever emerges because the flag bearer. What number of are we (presidential aspirants), three or 4? Within the PDP, greater than ten of us contested,” he mentioned.
The previous Vice-President described the ADC as youth-driven, emphasising its dedication to inclusivity for younger individuals and girls.
“The youths have taken over the get together. Most of these searching for elective positions, from councillor to state meeting, nationwide meeting and Home of Representatives, are younger individuals. We’ve got at all times mentioned our get together belongs to youths and girls. Our position is to create the chance and hand it over to them,” he mentioned.
When requested if he would help a youthful presidential candidate, Atiku responded affirmatively: “Sure, why not.
“Allah has executed the whole lot for me. I’ve introduced my sons and grandchildren house. What will probably be their future and that of their kids?” he added.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians are prepared for change, citing worsening {economic} and safety situations.
“We’re assured that Nigerians are craving for change. They’re prepared for it. They’re being pushed to the wall and are ready to do much more than they did within the earlier elections,” he mentioned.
Atiku linked rising insecurity, significantly in northern Nigeria, to youth unemployment and restricted entry to schooling.
“Insecurity is extra extreme within the northern states, largely as a consequence of youth unemployment and lack of entry to schooling. Whenever you go around the area, you see that schooling shouldn’t be receiving the eye it deserves. It has been relegated.
“Governments haven’t ensured that kids enrol in class, and even after they graduate, there aren’t any jobs or enterprise alternatives. I’ve by no means witnessed a interval like this in Nigeria,” he mentioned.
He additional accused the federal government of tolerating corruption.
“There’s additionally embezzlement on the a part of authorities and corruption is rampant. The federal government has turned a blind eye as a result of it’s concerned,” he alleged.