Titi Abubakar, the wife of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to support her husband in the 2027 presidential election.
This was just as she claimed that Nigerians would demand a second term for Atiku after his first four years in office.
Titi made the assertion on Thursday at the ADC All Support Groups Town Hall Meeting in Abuja, where she called on young Nigerians to take an active role in deciding the country’s political future.
According to her, although Atiku had pledged to serve only one term if elected president, his performance in office would persuade Nigerians to seek his continuation.
She said, “By the grace of God, when Atiku comes to this saddle, people will yearn that Atiku should continue and do second term.
“By then, he would have tutored his deputy; maybe the deputy will take over from him.”
Titi described Atiku as an experienced politician, philanthropist and public figure who would not need to learn the responsibilities of governance after assuming office.
“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 argued that the former vice-president was seeking the presidency to improve the lives of Nigerians rather than for 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 government,” she said.
The ADC presidential campaign, she noted, would place youths and women at the centre of governance, recalling Atiku’s promise to allocate 40 per cent of government appointments to the two groups if elected.
Titi also charged young voters to protect their ballots and resist attempts by politicians to buy their support during the election.
She acknowledged that the ADC might not have the financial resources to compete with politicians who distribute money during elections, but urged youths not to trade their votes for temporary financial benefits.
“ADC don’t have that money to give you. Don’t be a sellout. Because these people, they have all our money in their kitties,” she said.
“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.”
The ADC chieftain also painted a bleak picture of the country’s political and economic situation, alleging that the rule of law had been weakened and that the economy was struggling.
“Now, today, we have no constitution. We have no rule of law. Nothing is working. Our economy is in shambles,” she said.
Titi questioned the state of governance and economic management in the country, adding, “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 Atiku’s administration would seek to reverse 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.