The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign has expressed confidence that its candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, will win across Nigeria in the 2027 presidential election.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, made the declaration during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday.
Shaibu also disclosed that Atiku would campaign in all 36 states of the federation.
He said the party would soon release its campaign timetable, assuring Nigerians that no state would be excluded from the former vice-president’s campaign activities.
“We are going to release our schedule in a few days. Or in a few hours. And you will see for yourself. You will be able to interrogate for yourself. That look, Atiku Abubakar – no state will be left out,” he said.
According to him, the campaign would go beyond rallies in state capitals to include town hall meetings, community visits and engagements with residents in local government areas and villages.
Shaibu explained that the strategy was designed to allow Atiku to interact directly with Nigerians, listen to their concerns and understand the challenges facing different communities.
“We are not going to limit our campaign to just state capital or to just rallies. Atiku is already connected with the people. The people are hungry. People are dying. Do you understand? He needs to connect with them. He needs to listen to them,” he said.
The ADC campaign spokesman argued that the economic hardship affecting Nigerians was not limited to any particular region, insisting that the challenges facing residents of northern and southern Nigeria were similar.
He maintained that the situation could influence voters’ decisions in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that Nigerians struggling with the cost of living would support Atiku.
“As for the pathway, I’ll tell you. Our pathway is clear and simple. The man who is hungry in Zamfara is the same as the man who is hungry in Lagos. Forget the noise,” Shaibu said.
He further argued that the former vice-president’s electoral appeal was not restricted to northern Nigeria, adding that the ADC intended to seek votes across the country.
“Hungry Nigerians will vote for Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s pathway is not limited to Northern Nigeria. Atiku’s pathway is across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he added.
When asked which southern states the ADC expected Atiku to win, Shaibu expressed confidence in the candidate’s chances across the federation, making a sweeping prediction about the outcome of the election.
“I will not just be bold; I will be audacious about it. Atiku will win the entire country,” he declared.
The party’s position contrasts with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his personal appearances at All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rallies to 12 states, citing the need to balance electioneering with his responsibilities as president.
Tinubu announced his position on October 14 while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja. He said the demands of governing the country meant he would not accompany the campaign team to every rally.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” the president said.
He also cited the country’s financial obligations as a reason for limiting his participation in campaign activities.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” Tinubu added.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has recently defended his administration’s performance while campaigning for re-election, blaming opposition politicians, including Atiku and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, for the hunger and poverty affecting Nigerians.
Speaking at the APC presidential campaign flag-off rally at Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium, on Saturday, Tinubu accused his political opponents of creating the economic challenges they now criticise his administration over.
“I have an argument. I hear my opponent talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did! They created the hunger, they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” he said.
The president also defended his administration’s record on salary payments and praised state governors for their performance.
“We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working. I am proud of them. They are developing,” he said.
Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to give him another term in office, saying he wanted to sustain his promises of prosperity, continuity, progress and development.