Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and choose leaders based on competence, accountability and their capacity to improve the country.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a fresh attack on vote-buying ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging Nigerians to prioritise competence over temporary political handouts.
Atiku told Nigerians not to exchange their votes for bags of rice or other short-term benefits, arguing that the future of the country should not be sacrificed for immediate material incentives.
The former vice president made the remarks while intensifying his mobilisation for the 2027 presidential election, where he is seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku: Don’t Sell Your Future for Rice
Atiku’s latest message centred on the dangers of vote-buying and the use of material inducements to influence voters during elections.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond temporary relief and assess candidates according to their competence, character, record and ability to provide accountable leadership.
The former vice president said political leadership should be about building institutions and creating opportunities rather than using handouts to secure electoral support.
His message comes as political mobilisation for the 2027 election gathers momentum across the country.
‘I’m Not Contesting for Office Privileges’
Atiku also sought to frame his presidential ambition as a national project rather than a personal pursuit of power.
According to him, his interest in the 2027 election is driven by a desire to build a country where leadership is accountable, institutions are strengthened and citizens have equal opportunities to succeed.
The statement forms part of Atiku’s broader campaign message as he attempts to convince Nigerians that the 2027 election should be centred on competence and governance.
ADC Candidate Steps Up Mobilisation
The statement comes as Atiku’s ADC campaign intensifies its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.
The former vice president and his political allies have been rolling out new structures aimed at building nationwide support, including the RiseUpNaija Movement, which has set a target of mobilising 20 million active voters.
The campaign is increasingly focused on young Nigerians and voters who are dissatisfied with the state of governance and the economic difficulties confronting the country.
Vote Buying Remains a Major Election Concern
Atiku’s warning also places the issue of vote-buying back at the centre of the 2027 political conversation.
He urged young Nigerians in particular not to sell their votes, stressing that whatever material benefit a voter receives during an election campaign is temporary compared with the consequences of choosing a poor government.
The former vice president is therefore seeking to turn the 2027 contest into a referendum on leadership quality, economic opportunity and institutional accountability.
Atiku’s Challenge to Nigerians
With the presidential contest already becoming increasingly competitive, Atiku’s message represents a direct appeal to voters to make their decisions based on long-term national interests.
His argument is that Nigerians should judge candidates by what they can deliver in office rather than what they distribute during campaigns.
Whether that message can translate into votes will be tested when Nigerians eventually head to the polls in 2027.
For now, Atiku is positioning competence, accountability and responsible leadership as central pillars of his campaign against the ruling establishment.