Atiku Kicks Off 20 Million Vote Drive, Charges Youth to Reject Vote-Buying Ahead of 2027

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially launched a nationwide campaign to mobilise 20 million votes for his African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential bid, inaugurating state coordinators of the RiseUpNaija Movement (RUN) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The inauguration, held in Abuja on Saturday, marks a new phase in Atiku’s campaign, with a focus on grassroots organisation and building structures in every polling unit across the country.

Addressing participants, Atiku called on young Nigerians to reject vote-buying and actively defend the electoral process, saying his aspiration to lead Nigeria is rooted in a vision of accountable leadership, stronger democratic institutions and equal opportunities.

“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,” he said.

Atiku lamented the increasing number of talented Nigerians leaving the country, attributing the trend to poor leadership and declining confidence in the nation’s future.

“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 said.

He maintained that vote-buying could be defeated if citizens turned out in large numbers to vote and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

“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,” Atiku stated.

RUN Convener Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, meanwhile, charged state coordinators to strengthen membership registration nationwide, setting a target of 20 million active voters for the ADC in 2027.

“Our target is to have 20 million active voters to deliver our candidate in 2027,” Imam said.

He urged coordinators to establish a presence in every polling unit, with a goal of recruiting at least 100 members in each unit, and announced a one-month competition to reward the state with the highest membership growth.

Imam noted that the initiative could produce at least 17.6 million registered members across Nigeria’s approximately 176,000 polling units, adding that Adamawa State currently tops the membership chart.

Also speaking, Chairman of the RiseUpNaija Coordinating Council, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, said the movement now has structures in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Our responsibility is very clear. We must build an organisation that is active not only at the national level but in every state, every local government, every ward and ultimately every polling unit across Nigeria,” Yakasai said.

He explained that the movement’s endorsement of Atiku is anchored on its belief that Nigeria requires competent leadership, economic revival, national unity and stronger security.

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