Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on delegates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to prioritize political structure, competence, and national reach over social media popularity when selecting a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. 

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku emphasized that the party must field its strongest possible candidate to challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu, dismissing digital enthusiasm as an insufficient measure of presidential readiness.

A Call for Experienced Leadership

Atiku argued that Nigeria’s current challenges—including economic hardship, rising national debt, widespread insecurity, and institutional decay—leave no room for political experimentation.

“This is not a season for political experimentation. Nigeria cannot afford a learning-on-the-job presidency,” Atiku declared.

Without explicitly naming any rivals, the former vice president took a swipe at candidates riding waves of digital popularity, asserting that presidential elections are won through strategic organization and governance capacity rather than online momentum.

“Elections are not won on social media enthusiasm alone," Atiku stated. "Governance is not performance art. The presidency is not a platform for improvisation. The ADC must present to Nigerians its strongest, most credible, most prepared candidate — not merely its loudest.”

Track Record and Electoral Viability

Highlighting the scale of the nation's current crises, Atiku urged delegates to consider which aspirant possesses the practical capability to govern effectively from day one. He pointed to his own record during the Obasanjo-Atiku administration as a blueprint for national recovery, citing:

Economic Reforms: Liberalizing key sectors through a targeted privatization drive.

Fiscal Discipline: Implementing policies that contributed to Nigeria securing historic debt relief.

Governance Overhaul: Establishing structured reforms to reposition the national economy.

"The economic reforms that helped reposition Nigeria... were not accidents. They were products of leadership, competence, and courage," he said.

Strategy Over Sentiment

Atiku presented the delegates with a critical choice regarding the party's direction, asking: “Do we want to make a statement, or do we want to make a president?”

He stressed that defeating an entrenched incumbent requires building a broad, resilient coalition across Nigeria’s diverse regional, religious, and demographic lines. He concluded by urging the ADC leadership to look past emotional momentum and focus strictly on national acceptability and electoral victory.

“The choice before ADC delegates is not merely about ambition. It is about destiny," Atiku stated. "Nigeria deserves rescue, not rhetoric.”