Why won't you partner with the NDC and pick your vice president from there to unite the opposition?

Honours In 1982, at the unusually young age of 36, Atiku was appointed to the enviable position of Turaki Adamawa, a position of honour, and a position of high responsibility. Since then accolades have been bestowed on him from various monarchs across the six geo-political zones of the country. He holds the following titles: • Waziri of Adamawa (Adamawa Emirate) • Zege Mule U Tiv (Tiv Nation, Benue State), "Great Shelter of the Tiv Nation", conferred on 27 May 2001 • Sardauna of Ganye (Adamawa State) • Maiyedero of Lagos • Ekwueme of Anambra • Atayese of Ijeshaland • Zanna Zantaelma of Borno • Zanna Kawaskima of Yobe • Shettima of Biu (Borno State) • Suka of Ogoniland • Unuamani of Adamawa • Baagbile of Oke Ona Egba, Egbaland • Omekaojuora of Igbuzo • Otun Balogun of Mopaland • Nwanne Di na Mba of Ngor-Okpala (Imo State) • Enyioha Ndigbo In June 2017, he was elevated Waziri Adamawa, second in command only to the Lamido of Adamawa; the Waziri is one of the highest offices of the Adamawa Emirate and a senior kingmaker. On becoming Waziri he relinquished the title of Turaki Adamawa, which passed to his son, Aliyu. Rotary International and the National Peace Corps Association of the United States have recognised the former Vice President for matching his passion with his purse. In 2011, the National Peace Corps Association made him the first recipient of its Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award, for his contribution to democracy and to higher education in Africa. "No private business man in Africa has worked harder for democracy or contributed more to higher education than Atiku Abubakar," his citation read. (Source: National Peace Corps Association, https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/cpages/wofford-award-winners) He is a Foundation Fellow of St Antony's College, University of Oxford (Source: St Antony's College, https://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-atiku-abubakar/). On 30 June 2013, the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland, conferred on him an honorary doctorate in Diplomacy and International Relations. Atiku has also been honoured by a number of Nigerian universities: • PhD Honoris Causa, University of Maiduguri • PhD Honoris Causa, University of Calabar • PhD Honoris Causa, Igbinedion University, Okada • PhD Honoris Causa, Federal University of Technology, Yola • PhD Honoris Causa, Imo State University, Owerri • PhD Honoris Causa, Bayero University, Kano • PhD Honoris Causa, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

Do not exchange four years of your future for one afternoon of inducement. Fellow Nigerians, and most importantly, the young Nigerians gathered here today, the heartbeat of our nation, and those following this programme across the length and breadth of our country, perhaps checking their phones to see whether I am trending yet, good morning. Look at me. Look closely. I have spent the better part of my life fighting for democracy, justice and the progress of our beloved country. Time has given me experience, but it has not diminished my conviction. The fire that inspired me as a young student activist still burns today because every day I see millions of young Nigerians denied opportunities that should have been theirs. I stand before you today not merely as a former Vice President or an elder statesman, but as a lifelong democrat who has never stopped believing that Nigeria can become the great nation its people deserve.

Question: Would you support zoning when it doesn’t personally benefit you and, if elected, would you support a Southern candidate to succeed you? Answer: I am not sure that there has been any politician in Nigeria who has made more sacrifice than me to protect the principle of power rotation. In the 1993 presidential election that produced the infamous June 12 crisis arising from the annulment of the presidential election, I withdrew from the race to create a path for the late Chief MKO Abiola to emerge as the candidate of our political party in that election. Similarly, in 2003, an overwhelming number of governors of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempted to prevail on me to jettison my support for President Olusegun Obasanjo and, instead, run for president myself. I declined their offer; I believed it was contrary to the zoning principle. If I am elected president in 2027, I would raise the bar of governance in Nigeria. It will be certain that only people with credible credentials—either from the South or North—will be bold enough to present themselves to succeed me.

● Align national trade policies and standards with AfCFTA requirements to ensure Nigerian goods can compete across African markets ● Support Nigerian businesses in accessing new African markets through trade facilitation and information platforms ● Develop regional value chains with other African countries to boost production and exports ● Improve border infrastructure and customs processes to enable faster and more efficient cross-border trade 4. Expand and deepen trade agreements with strategic markets. We will actively negotiate and strengthen trade relationships that open new markets for Nigerian goods and services while protecting our national interests. ● Negotiate agreements that support Nigerian manufacturing, agriculture, services, and exports ● Ensure trade deals include provisions for technology transfer, local industry support, and fair market access ● Review and renegotiate any treaties and trade deals that are unfavourable to our national interest.

I was privileged to serve as Vice President in 1999, at the moment we helped lay the foundation for the democratic Nigeria we cherish today. But I have said this election is not merely about changing a government, it is about changing the direction of our country: restoring hope, rebuilding confidence, and creating opportunities so no young Nigerian feels compelled to abandon the country of his birth.

I have the experience to lead this country, and that is what Nigeria needs now. I have done this work before. Nigerians elected me Vice President twice, in 1999 and 2003, and in government I led the reforms that returned loss-making government companies to private hands and opened our economy to private investment. I served Nigeria in the Customs Service from 1969 to 1986, and I have built businesses that today employ thousands of Nigerians, so I know how jobs are created. The two issues Nigerians care about most are restoring vitality to our economy and securing the country. My plan is clear: end insecurity, bring down the cost of living, create opportunities for every Nigerian, and uphold the rule of law. Nigeria has given me so many opportunities to be who I am today. If the presidents we have had offered better leadership, I would have retired my ambition. But I cannot, in good conscience, do that when I know I have better ideas to offer. The constitution allows a four-year term, and a second term is not an automatic entitlement. I am in this race to serve.