Don’t Complain, Prepare To Replace Those Failing You, Atiku Tells Youths

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to move beyond complaining about poor governance and prepare themselves to take over leadership positions 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 participate actively in politics.

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

He said Nigerian youths had been told for decades that they were the leaders of tomorrow, stressing that “tomorrow has been promised to Nigerian youths for too long.”

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

Atiku said his message to the youths was not simply to seek their support for his presidential ambition but to encourage them to take ownership of the country’s future.

He criticised the practice of mobilising young people during election campaigns only to exclude them from decision-making after elections.

“For too long, young people have been useful to politicians during campaigns but expendable after elections. They are mobilised to fill rallies, dominate social media and defend political leaders, only to discover after victory that the important decisions are still being taken in rooms from which they are absent,” he said.

The former vice president pledged that his political programme would deliberately create space for younger Nigerians in leadership, saying at least 30 per cent of legislative candidates under the platform would be below 40, with a significant number below 30.

He, however, charged the youths to prepare themselves for the responsibilities of leadership.

“Opening the door is not enough if those who enter are not prepared to lead. You must study government, understand public finance and policy, learn how institutions work, understand the communities you seek to represent and prepare yourselves for the difficult business of leadership,” he said.

Atiku also urged the 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.

“If you want political power, you must organise for political power. Join your wards, attend meetings, ask questions, demand accountability and participate in choosing those who represent you,” he said.

He identified three tasks for the youths ahead of the 2027 elections: “REGISTER. ORGANISE. LEAD.”

According to him, eligible Nigerians should be encouraged to register and participate in elections, while youths should also seek leadership positions at all levels.

“Do not wait indefinitely for permission. Seek leadership positions within this party. Contest elections. Become councillors, legislators and governors,” he said.

Atiku also called on young Nigerians to hold political leaders accountable, including himself if he fails to fulfil his commitments.

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

The ADC presidential candidate further criticised the economic hardship confronting young Nigerians, saying many graduates were struggling to find jobs while businesses faced rising operating costs.

He said the government must focus on creating jobs, expanding access to finance, improving education, strengthening digital infrastructure and providing adequate security.

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

He also warned against political division, urging youths not to allow politicians to exploit ethnic and religious differences.

“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 expressed concern over the level of security deployment, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Federal Government to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

“Our security forces must protect voters, not frighten them. They must secure the ballot, not create an atmosphere of siege around it,” he said.

He urged INEC to ensure that election materials arrived promptly, 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.

Atiku concluded by urging the youths to take the message of the summit back to their communities and turn their frustrations into political participation.

“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.”