Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says security, education, the economy, healthcare and restructuring power among Nigeria’s constituent units will form the core priorities of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) government if elected in 2027.
Speaking after emerging as the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku said his administration would pursue “clear national plans” with measurable targets and timelines.
“We shall prioritise security, education, the economy, healthcare and the challenge of power-sharing among the constituent units of our country,” he said.
On security, the former vice-president accused the current administration of failing to tackle rising violence across the country.
“Every region of this country is gripped by insecurity, the worst kind in our history,” he said.
“Our people are being slaughtered in large numbers and the government has failed to take decisive and effective action.”
Atiku said an ADC government would strengthen the armed forces and other security agencies through recruitment, training, improved welfare and better coordination.
“We shall strengthen the armed forces, the police and other security agencies with massive new recruitment, provision of modern and adequate equipment, training, improved welfare and effective leadership,” he said.
EDUCATION
On education, Atiku described the number of out-of-school children under the current administration as unacceptable.
“Under the watch of this APC government, over 20 million school-age children are not in school,” he said.
He promised free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels, alongside investments in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
“We shall embark on a holistic revival of our educational system,” he added.
The former vice-president also criticised the economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, saying poverty had worsened under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This APC government has failed woefully on the economy,” he said.
“The poverty gripping our people is at a level that we have never seen in our history.”
Atiku accused the government of failing to account for savings from fuel subsidy removal and relying excessively on borrowing.
“External borrowing alone has reached 30 billion dollars in the last three years,” he claimed.
He also promised reforms in the power sector and policies aimed at attracting local and foreign investments.
On healthcare, Atiku criticised what he described as poor funding for the sector.
“Our ADC government will prioritise healthcare, with emphasis on prevention,” he said.
He pledged massive investments in primary healthcare and improved specialist medical facilities across the country.
“In the coming weeks and months, we shall be rolling out our platform addressing these priorities and other issues in more detail and with clear timelines,” Atiku added.
