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ABUJA – The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for what he described as a renewed commitment to leadership that prioritises citizens’ welfare, security and economic stability, arguing that democratic governance should produce tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking during a Democracy Day Convening held on Friday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day anniversary, the former Vice President reflected on the country’s democratic journey while urging greater attention to issues affecting ordinary citizens.
In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, former member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Atiku said many Nigerians continue to face significant economic and social challenges despite nearly three decades of uninterrupted democratic rule.
According to him, democratic governance must ultimately be assessed by its impact on the daily lives of citizens.
He said: “My fellow Nigerians, to the question so often asked — are the lives of ordinary citizens better today than when President Tinubu took office? — the honest answer for millions is unmistakable: we are far worse off than we were, and no amount of economic narrative can disguise it. This is the painful reality that must change.”
The ADC candidate said the country requires leadership capable of combining experience with compassion, stressing that governance should be driven by practical solutions to pressing national concerns.
“We need a President who is truly patriotic and genuinely empathetic; who understands the struggles and suffering of our citizens, and who carries the experience and the solutions to confront them.
He said: “We need a President who can balance pragmatism with principle, who knows the difference between politics and governance, and who understands a simple truth: insecurity is not defeated with press releases and platitudes. It is confronted and defeated head-on — with implementable budgets, sound policy, commitment, consistency, engagement, accountability, empathy, drive, and justice.”
Atiku further emphasised the constitutional responsibility of government to safeguard lives and property, describing security as a fundamental obligation of leadership.
“Our nation deserves a committed Commander-in-Chief who will never neglect his most sacred constitutional duty: the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Nigeria. My fellow citizens, this can never be the democracy that our founding fathers and our heroes believed in, fought for, and died for,” he said.
Despite his concerns, the former Vice President congratulated Nigerians for sustaining democratic rule for twenty-seven consecutive years, noting that the country’s democratic experience remains the longest uninterrupted period of civilian governance in its history.
“Despite the harsh realities of our present moment, I congratulate every one of our compatriots on being part of the longest unbroken stretch of democratic governance in the history of our beloved country.”
He described the nation’s diversity as a source of strength and called for collective efforts toward national renewal.
“From the rich cultural diversity of the West to the resilient farms of the North; from the vibrant, bustling streets of the East to the oil-rich communities of the South-South and the Delta — today, on this Democracy Day, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude to God, a quiet determination to set things right, and an abiding commitment to heal our land.”
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Atiku said Nigerians had remained steadfast in their belief in democratic ideals.
“For twenty-seven years, through thick and thin, you have refused to abandon the promise of June 12: the promise of freedom, the promise of prosperity, and the right to choose the leaders who will serve you and labour for the common good of our potentially great nation.”
The former Vice President also expressed concerns about economic pressures facing households and the broader fiscal challenges confronting the country.
He argued that rising living costs, growing public debt and other economic pressures have placed significant strain on many families, adding that public resources should be deployed effectively to critical sectors including education, healthcare, security and infrastructure.
Atiku further pointed to official budgetary figures, which he said highlighted the need for more effective implementation of government programmes and expenditure priorities.
Also speaking at the event, Convener of the Democracy Day Convening under the auspices of the Coalition Political Action Committee (COPAC), Aminu Datti Ahmed, said the gathering was designed to stimulate conversations around governance, accountability and democratic performance.
According to him, citizens across the country are increasingly seeking answers to questions relating to security, economic opportunities, living standards and leadership.
“We are here because our country is demanding answers. We are here because millions of Nigerians are asking difficult questions about security, opportunity, economic hardship, the rising cost of living, and the quality of leadership. They are asking whether democracy is still capable of delivering the dignity, prosperity, and justice that citizens deserve. If citizens are asking those questions, then those of us who seek to lead must be prepared to answer them.”
Ahmed also used the occasion to formally introduce COPAC to a wider audience, explaining its relationship with the African Democratic Congress.
“Today also marks an important moment in the life of an organization that many Nigerians are hearing about for the first time. The Coalition Political Action Committee—COPAC.
“COPAC is proudly affiliated with the African Democratic Congress, the ADC. We make no apologies for that. We are ADC members, ADC supporters, ADC stakeholders, and ADC believers. We believe in the mission of the African Democratic Congress.
“We believe that Nigeria needs a strong, credible, disciplined, and forward-looking political alternative. We believe that democracy is healthiest when citizens are presented with genuine choices. And we believe that the ADC has a historic role to play in building the Nigeria that our people deserve.”
He distinguished the role of political action committees from that of political parties, saying both institutions play complementary roles within democratic systems.
“But COPAC exists for a specific purpose. Political parties contest elections. Political Action Committees help create the conditions for victory.
“Political parties produce candidates. Political Action Committees mobilize citizens. Political parties compete for power.”
Ahmed maintained that the ultimate measure of democratic success lies in improvements to citizens’ quality of life rather than political rhetoric or ceremonial observances.
“Across Nigeria today, speeches are being delivered, statements are being issued, and accomplishments are being celebrated. Yet beyond the ceremonies and official events, millions of Nigerians are asking a more fundamental question: has democracy improved their lives? For many citizens, this question is no longer academic. It is personal. It is measured in the price of food at the market, the availability of jobs, the safety of communities, the quality of schools, and the confidence they have in the future.”
He said citizens were increasingly focused on practical outcomes and solutions to everyday challenges.
“The young graduate searching for employment is not interested in political slogans. The farmer worried about insecurity is not interested in propaganda. The trader whose capital has been eroded by inflation is not interested in excuses. The mother struggling to provide for her family is not interested in political theatre. What Nigerians want is simple: they want to know whether democracy can still deliver hope, opportunity, and progress.
“That, in my view, is the defining question of our time.”
Ahmed further argued that democratic governance should be evaluated by the extent to which it improves the lives of citizens and strengthens public confidence in institutions.
“The real test of democracy is not whether elections are held. It is not whether politicians campaign. It is not whether governments make promises. The true test is whether ordinary citizens can see a connection between democratic governance and the quality of their lives. A democracy that fails to improve the condition of its people risks breeding frustration. A democracy that cannot inspire hope eventually produces cynicism. And when citizens lose faith in democratic institutions, the entire nation pays the price.”
He concluded by urging sustained citizen participation in democratic processes, stressing that democracy flourishes when citizens remain actively engaged in public affairs.
“This is why gatherings such as this matter. Democracy is not a machine that runs by itself. It depends on active citizens, strong institutions, organized political participation, and constant engagement. It survives when people are willing to contribute to its growth and defend its principles. It weakens when citizens retreat into indifference and leave public affairs to a narrow few.”