By Mokobia Rita
YOLA/Nigeria: Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has launched a blistering attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported 10.9 million votes in the party’s presidential primary as fabricated figures allegedly crafted to project political dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku stated this while addressing journalists shortly after participating in the ADC presidential primary exercise at his Ajiya Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The former vice-president, who spoke amid growing political realignments and heightened opposition consultations, flatly rejected claims by APC officials that President Tinubu secured 10,999,160 votes during the ruling party’s primary election.
Reacting to the figure, Atiku declared: “It is a lie. The figures were merely written.”
The sharp criticism marks one of Atiku’s strongest public attacks yet on the APC’s internal electoral process and signals the intensifying political battle lines ahead of the next presidential contest.
Speaking after the exercise, Atiku insisted that despite the APC’s confidence and public celebration of Tinubu’s re-election prospects, the ruling party remains vulnerable and could be defeated if Nigerians unite behind the opposition.
He argued that the prevailing economic realities across the country, including rising inflation, economic hardship and worsening living conditions, have continued to deepen public dissatisfaction with the current administration.
The former vice-president also cited the turnout recorded during the ADC primary election, especially the participation of young Nigerians, as evidence of what he described as a growing political shift.
“It is encouraging to see the large number of people gathered here, particularly the youths,” Atiku said.
“When young people embrace a movement, it shows they see hope in it — not just for themselves, but for their families and the future of the country.”
Atiku further dismissed reports suggesting internal disagreements and emerging cracks within the ADC, maintaining that the party remains united and focused on its mission to challenge the APC in 2027.
“We are confident. We do not see any challenge capable of stopping us from achieving our mission,” he declared.
In a direct appeal to Nigerians, the former vice-president urged citizens to support the ADC, warning that backing any other political platform would only prolong the hardship currently being experienced by many citizens.
“My message to Nigerians is simple — vote for the ADC. Any other party aside from the ADC will only worsen the hardship in the country,” he added.
His remarks come at a time of increasing political consultations, coalition talks and strategic movements among opposition figures seeking to build a formidable alliance against the ruling APC ahead of the next election cycle.
While the APC continues to celebrate Tinubu’s massive primary vote tally as evidence of national acceptance and party strength, opposition leaders have continued to question the credibility of internal party processes and the administration’s handling of the economy.
With both camps intensifying rhetoric and political mobilisation, the road to the 2027 general election is increasingly taking shape as a fierce contest over power, public trust and competing narratives about Nigeria’s future.
