Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed appreciation to members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate for the next general election.
In a statement following the party’s primary election, Atiku described his emergence as a great honour and pledged to lead the opposition platform in its bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I wish to express my profound appreciation for the privilege bestowed on me of leading our great party into the next elections as its presidential candidate,” he said.
The former presidential candidate stated that the ADC had demonstrated internal democracy through what he described as a free, fair and transparent primary process, contrasting it with alleged anti-democratic tendencies under the current administration.
Atiku accused the APC-led government of undermining democracy and engineering crises within opposition political parties through alleged interference involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and elements within the judiciary.
He further alleged that opposition politicians were being harassed and intimidated, citing the case of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, whom he claimed had remained in detention for months despite court orders granting bail.
According to Atiku, opposition figures face pressure to defect to the ruling party, alleging that corruption investigations and legal actions against politicians often disappear once they join the APC.
“This abuse of power must stop,” he stated.
The ADC presidential candidate also warned against any attempt to interfere in the affairs of the opposition coalition, saying efforts to destabilise or deregister the party would be strongly resisted.
Atiku congratulated other aspirants who contested the party’s presidential ticket, describing them as patriots committed to rescuing Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity and political intolerance.
He called on party members and supporters to remain united ahead of the elections, stressing that the opposition must work together to challenge what he described as the “destructive grip” of the APC government.
“No one was defeated because we are one party and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” he said.
The former vice president also commended the party’s primary election committee and leadership for organising a peaceful and transparent exercise.
He urged party members to prepare for what he described as the “real hard work” of campaigning ahead of the general election, with the aim of forming a new government and addressing the country’s challenges.
