The wife of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Titi Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to support her husband’s bid for the presidency in the 2027 election.
Titi made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at an ADC All Support Groups Town Hall Meeting, where she called on young Nigerians to take an active role in shaping the country’s political future.
She said although Atiku Abubakar had pledged to serve only one term if elected, his performance could make Nigerians demand that he remain in office for a second term.
“By the grace of God, when Atiku comes to this saddle, people will yearn that Atiku should continue and do a second term”.
According to her, the first term could also be used to groom Atiku’s deputy for eventual succession.
“By then, he would have tutored his deputy; maybe the deputy will take over from him,” she said.
Titi described Atiku as an experienced politician and philanthropist, insisting that the former vice president would not need to learn the responsibilities of governance if elected.
“Atiku is a sellable material. That is why I am so proud of my husband. Atiku is a philanthropist. Atiku has done it before. Atiku is not going to learn on the job. And Atiku is not a novice,” she said.
She further said Atiku’s interest in becoming president was driven by a desire to improve the welfare of Nigerians rather than personal enrichment.
“Atiku is a man of honour, a man of his word. Atiku is not coming to chop government money. Atiku wants to give back to you people. Atiku wants you people to know what it is all about the government,” she said.
Titi said youths would be central to the ADC’s campaign, describing them as the party’s “foot soldiers” in the 2027 contest.
She also disclosed that Atiku had promised to reserve 40 per cent of government appointments for youths and women if elected.
The ADC campaign, she said, would require young supporters to mobilise voters at the grassroots and ensure that votes cast for the party were protected at polling units.
Titi equally cautioned voters against accepting financial inducements from politicians in exchange for their votes, warning that such actions could undermine the future of younger generations.
“ADC doesn’t have that money to give you. Don’t be a sellout. Because these people, they have all our money in their kitties.
“Don’t allow them to come and give you money and you sell your conscience. If you sell your vote, you are selling the vote of your generation yet unborn”, she said.
The ADC chieftain also criticised the state of governance and the economy under the present administration, alleging that the constitution and rule of law had been weakened.
“Now, today, we have no constitution. We have no rule of law. Nothing is working. Our economy is in shambles,” she said.
She also questioned the country’s budgeting process and expressed concern over the hardship confronting Nigerians.
“Right from 2023 up to date, there is no budget in Nigeria. And I wonder how people are living. I wonder how people are eating,” she said.
Titi said Atiku would seek to restore confidence in government and address what she described as the country’s deteriorating condition.
“Atiku wants to put things right. We want to be like other nations, but here and now we don’t have anything at all. We are not proud of ourselves,” she added.
Her comments came against the backdrop of increased political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with spouses of prominent political figures also becoming more visible in campaign-related engagements.
Earlier in the week, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu had appealed to voters in the South-East to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
She made the appeal during an official engagement in Owerri, Imo State, where she distributed empowerment materials to women and said she wanted to “enjoy Nigeria at old age” while continuing to contribute to the country.
The ADC town hall, themed ‘Together We Can Build the Nigeria We Desire,’ centred on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit coordination, vote protection and increased participation of youths, women and support groups in the party’s preparations for the 2027 election.
