Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to participate massively in the 2027 general election, describing the exercise as a defining moment that should be treated with the seriousness of Judgment Day.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the appeal on Wednesday, November 4, during the flag-off of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State.
He also accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of moving from village to village in northern Nigeria to buy Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in an alleged attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
The former vice president warned that low voter turnout among opposition supporters could create an opportunity for electoral manipulation and give the impression that the ADC had limited support in the North.
Addressing supporters at the party’s state secretariat, Atiku urged Nigerians to vote in large numbers and remain vigilant until their votes were secured.
“Let us come out and vote as if it were Judgment Day. Come out in large numbers, protect your votes and escort them until they are secured,” he said.
He added: “If you fail to turn out in large numbers, people will go from village to village buying voters’ cards to create the impression that we do not have as many supporters as those in the South. Go out and cast your vote, and protect it.”
Why Atiku Chose Sokoto for ADC Campaign Flag-Off
Atiku and his entourage arrived in Sokoto at about 1pm but reportedly did not reach the ADC state secretariat until around 4:30pm because of the crowd that gathered to welcome them.
The ADC presidential candidate said Sokoto was deliberately selected as the starting point of his campaign because of its historical and religious significance.
He described the state as an important centre of peace and peaceful coexistence, adding that the decision was intended to demonstrate the party’s commitment to national unity across religious backgrounds.
“They said we would not come to Sokoto, but here we are. They said we would not hold the campaign rally, but we have come,” Atiku said.
He added that Sokoto’s significance to Nigerians of different faiths informed the decision to launch the campaign there.
Atiku Outlines ADC Promises Ahead of 2027
During the campaign event, Atiku outlined some of the promises of an ADC-led government.
They include tackling insecurity, reopening Nigeria’s land borders and making religious pilgrimages more affordable.
He specifically pledged to make both Hajj and Christian pilgrimages affordable for Nigerians, while addressing security challenges affecting communities across the country.
Atiku also expressed sympathy for families who had lost loved ones in attacks and other violent incidents.
He called on Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections and support ADC candidates, describing voting as a civic responsibility that could influence the country’s political direction.
ADC Coordinator Claims Party Has Strong Support in Sokoto
Earlier, the Sokoto State Coordinator of the ADC presidential campaign, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Lamido, described Sokoto as a one-party state and claimed that the ADC enjoyed overwhelming support in the state.
Lamido urged party members, supporters and other stakeholders to mobilise voters ahead of the forthcoming elections and ensure strong backing for ADC candidates.
Why Atiku’s Sokoto Campaign Was Postponed
The campaign flag-off followed the postponement of an event initially scheduled for Saturday, October 31, but moved to Wednesday, November 4.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Sokoto said the change was necessary to address planning and coordination issues.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Bello Aliyu Goronyo, the council said the postponement was intended to ensure the successful conduct of the campaign event.
The council also apologised to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters for any inconvenience caused by the change in date.
