Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday pledged to restore fuel subsidy, tackle insecurity and create jobs if elected President in 2027.
Atiku made the promises during the African Democratic Congress presidential campaign rally in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, where he urged voters to support the party, describing it as the only platform capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
The rally came hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership and voided decisions taken by the party’s executives, including the process that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate.
Addressing supporters, Atiku asked Nigerians whether they wanted the return of fuel subsidy, improved security and employment opportunities, insisting that the ADC offered the solution.
“The people of Kebbi State, let me ask you a few questions. Do you want the return of subsidy? Do you want security? Do you want employment?” he asked.
He added, “Therefore, you have no option other than the ADC. ADC is the only political party that is committed to these three objectives and more to bring about prosperity, unity and peace to the people of our country.”
The former Vice-President and his running mate also faulted some projects being showcased by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, arguing that they were inherited from the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
Supporters had earlier gathered at the ADC secretariat in Birnin Kebbi to welcome Atiku and other party leaders ahead of the rally.
The Director-General of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Austin Akobundu, commended party members for what he described as their resistance to intimidation by the state government.
Akobundu said the 2027 general election would be a referendum between suffering Nigerians and the Federal Government under Tinubu.
The ADC National Chairman also described the party as a moving train that could not be stopped by intimidation.
He urged Kebbi residents to vote for Atiku as President, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as governor and other ADC candidates in the 2027 elections.
The rally ended with the party’s national chairman presenting the ADC flag to Malami as its governorship candidate for the forthcoming election.
However, the campaign was overshadowed by the Federal High Court judgment delivered earlier in Abuja.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, nullified the Mark-led leadership and the actions taken by its executives, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
Atiku rejected the ruling, describing it as an attempt to weaken his political support and frustrate his campaign.
He said he would challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The ADC also rejected the decision, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to cripple the opposition and vowing to pursue all available legal avenues to overturn the judgment.
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