Atiku to youths: Turn frustration into political power ahead of 2027

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to stop merely complaining about poor governance and prepare to replace ineffective leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku made the call on Wednesday while addressing the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, where he urged young Nigerians to register, organise and actively participate in politics.

“Do not simply complain about the people making decisions. Prepare yourselves to replace those who are failing you,” he told the youths.

The former vice president said Nigerian youths had been promised leadership for decades, stressing that the time had come for them to take responsibility for the country’s future.

“Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now,” he said.

Atiku said his appeal was not solely aimed at securing youth support for his presidential ambition but at encouraging young Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s political future.

He criticised the practice of using youths to mobilise crowds and campaign online during elections while excluding them from decision-making after politicians assume office.

“For too long, young people have been useful to politicians during campaigns but expendable after elections,” he said.

Atiku pledged that his political platform would create greater opportunities for young Nigerians, promising that at least 30 per cent of legislative candidates would be below 40, with a significant number under 30.

He, however, cautioned that political inclusion must be matched by adequate preparation for leadership.

According to him, aspiring young leaders must understand government, public finance, policymaking and the workings of public institutions, while also becoming familiar with the communities they seek to represent.

He urged youths to move beyond social media activism and become organised participants in the political process.

“Anger is not an organisation. A hashtag is not an organisation. Complaining on social media is not an organisation,” Atiku said.

He identified three priorities for young Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections: “Register. Organise. Lead.”

Atiku encouraged eligible Nigerians to register and participate in elections while urging young people to seek elective and party positions at all levels.

He said youths should contest for positions ranging from councillor and legislator to governor rather than waiting for political leaders to create opportunities for them.

The ADC candidate also urged young Nigerians to hold political leaders accountable, including himself if he failed to meet his commitments.

“I want your support, but I also want your scrutiny. That is how democratic institutions become stronger,” he said.

Atiku expressed concern over the economic difficulties facing young Nigerians, including unemployment among graduates and rising operating costs for businesses.

He said government priorities should include job creation, access to finance, quality education, digital infrastructure and security.

“Leadership is not the art of explaining suffering. Leadership is the responsibility to reduce it,” he said.

He also warned youths against allowing politicians to exploit ethnic and religious divisions for political gain.

“Poverty has no tribe. Unemployment has no religion. Insecurity does not ask for your political party before it strikes,” he said.

On the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Atiku raised concerns over the scale of security deployment and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the Federal Government to guarantee a peaceful and credible poll.

He urged security personnel to protect voters and the integrity of the ballot rather than create fear around the electoral process.

Atiku also called on INEC to ensure that election materials arrived on time, voters were allowed to cast their ballots freely and results were counted and transmitted transparently.

“Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail,” he said.

The former vice president urged the youths to take the message of the summit to their communities and transform their frustrations into political participation, ideas, candidates and votes.

“Take it with you. Organise it. Multiply it. Turn it into participation, ideas, candidates and votes,” he said.

“Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now.”