The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will campaign in all 36 states of the federation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, disclosed this during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, dismissing concerns that the former vice-president’s campaign would focus mainly on northern Nigeria.
Shaibu said the campaign timetable would be released soon, assuring Nigerians that no state would be excluded from Atiku’s engagements with voters.
“We are going to release our schedule in a few days, or in a few hours. And you will see for yourself. You will be able to interrogate for yourself that Atiku Abubakar, no state will be left out,” he said.
He explained that the campaign would extend beyond rallies in state capitals to include town hall meetings, community engagements and visits to local government areas and villages.
“We are not going to limit our campaign to just state capitals or to just rallies. Atiku is already connected with the people. The people are hungry. People are dying. He needs to connect with them. He needs to listen to them,” Shaibu said.
The ADC campaign spokesman argued that economic hardship was affecting Nigerians across the country, regardless of their geographical location, and would be a major issue in the forthcoming election.
“The man who is hungry in Zamfara is the same as the man who is hungry in Lagos. Forget the noise,” he said.
Shaibu maintained that Atiku’s appeal extended beyond northern Nigeria, expressing confidence that Nigerians facing economic difficulties would support the former vice-president.
“Hungry Nigerians will vote for Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s pathway is not limited to Northern Nigeria. Atiku’s pathway is across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he added.
Asked which southern states Atiku expected to win, Shaibu expressed confidence in the candidate’s nationwide prospects.
“I will not just be bold, I will be audacious about it. Atiku will win the entire country,” he said.
The ADC’s announcement contrasts with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his personal participation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rallies to 12 states, citing the need to balance electioneering with governance.
Tinubu made his position known on October 14 during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, telling party members that the demands of governing the country would prevent him from accompanying the campaign team to every state.
“You have warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” the President said.
He also cited the country’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors as reasons for limiting his involvement in campaign activities.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” Tinubu added.
According to a campaign timetable previously reported by PUNCH, Tinubu was scheduled to attend rallies in 12 states, beginning with Kaduna on October 24 and ending in Lagos on January 9, 2027.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature nationwide campaigns by political parties seeking to mobilise voters and present their plans to Nigerians ahead of the poll.
