2027: Atiku Will Not Be ‘Absentee President’, ADC Campaign Council Says

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has assured Nigerians that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would provide an accessible and responsive presidency if elected in the 2027 general election.

The council said Atiku would not be an “absentee President” and would remain physically available to attend to pressing national issues.

Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Atiku Unity Movement, led by its leader, Francis Eburuwe.

Ologbondiyan said Atiku had demonstrated an understanding of Nigeria’s economic and social challenges and had proposed policy measures to address them.

He recalled that during the 2023 presidential campaign, Atiku advocated a phased withdrawal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the process should be implemented in a manner that would minimise its impact on Nigerians.

According to him, developments in the country over the past three years have reinforced the need for an accessible presidency capable of responding quickly to national challenges.

“The country needs a President who understands the challenges confronting Nigerians and is physically available to respond to the demands of governance.

“Nigeria cannot afford a situation in which there is uncertainty over who is effectively directing the affairs of government at critical moments. The country requires firm and focused leadership,” he said.

Ologbondiyan said an Atiku presidency would focus on addressing economic difficulties, improving citizens’ welfare and restoring confidence in public institutions.

He added that recent economic proposals by the ADC candidate were aimed at reducing the pressure of rising energy and living costs.

Among the proposals, he said, was an intervention for petroleum products refined domestically, subject to a fixed spending limit, National Assembly approval and independent audits.

Earlier, the leader of the Atiku Unity Movement delegation, Francis Eburuwe, said the group was committed to Atiku’s candidacy and would mobilise support for the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Eburuwe said the movement would take the campaign message to communities across the country, expressing the group’s belief that an Atiku administration would address some of Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.

He pledged the movement’s support for the ADC presidential campaign and urged its members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.