Atiku and His Wife Titi Abubakar

Author: Gist Correspondent

Wife of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Titi Abubakar, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Nigerians are struggling as the economy deteriorates.

Titi made the remarks at an ADC All Support Groups Town Hall Meeting in Abuja, where she urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the political process ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

She called on the youths to support her husband, saying his performance if elected would eventually make Nigerians demand that he remains in office beyond his promised single term.

“By the grace of God, when Atiku comes to this saddle, people will yearn that Atiku should continue and do a second term,” she said.

Although Atiku has pledged to serve only one term if elected, Titi said his first term would also enable him to prepare his deputy to succeed him.

“By then, he would have tutored his deputy; maybe the deputy will take over from him,” she added.

Titi described Atiku as an experienced politician, philanthropist and “man of honour” who would not need to learn the business of governance if elected president.

“Atiku is a sellable material. That is why I am so proud of my husband. Atiku is a philanthropist. Atiku has done it before. Atiku is not going to learn on the job. And Atiku is not a novice,” she said.

She said Atiku was seeking the presidency to improve the lives of Nigerians rather than enrich himself.

“Atiku is not coming to chop government money. Atiku wants to give back to you people,” she said.

The former vice president’s wife said youths would play a central role in the ADC’s campaign, describing them as the party’s “foot soldiers” ahead of the election.

She disclosed that Atiku had pledged that youths and women would receive 40 per cent of government appointments if he wins the presidency.

Titi urged the youths to mobilise at the grassroots and ensure that votes cast for the ADC were protected at polling units.

She also warned voters against accepting money from politicians in exchange for their votes, arguing that vote-buying would mortgage the future of younger generations.

“Don’t allow them to come and give you money and you sell your conscience. If you sell your vote, you are selling the vote of your generation yet unborn,” she said.

Turning to the state of the nation, Titi launched a broad criticism of the government, alleging that the constitution and rule of law had been undermined while the economy was struggling.

“Now, today, we have no constitution. We have no rule of law. Nothing is working. Our economy is in shambles,” she said.

She also questioned the country’s budgeting process and expressed concern over the ability of Nigerians to cope with prevailing economic conditions.

“Right from 2023 up to date, there is no budget in Nigeria. And I wonder how people are living. I wonder how people are eating,” she said.

Titi contrasted her husband's proposed administration with what she described as the current failures of governance, saying Atiku would seek to restore confidence and improve living conditions.

“Atiku wants to put things right. We want to be like other nations, but here and now we don’t have anything at all. We are not proud of ourselves,” she added.

Her comments came against the backdrop of increasing involvement of spouses of major political figures in the 2027 campaign.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu had, during an official engagement in Owerri, Imo State, appealed to voters in the South-East to support President Tinubu's bid for a second term.

The ADC town hall, themed “Together We Can Build the Nigeria We Desire,” focused on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit coordination, vote protection and increased participation of youths, women and support groups in the party's 2027 campaign.