What will you do about insecurity, power supply, and protecting votes on election day?
On insecurity, I am committed to setting up Anti-Banditry and Kidnapping Special Units in every state command, made up of highly trained, mobile personnel, to strengthen the response to banditry and kidnapping. I want to adopt a firehose principle for security coordination, driving continuous, high-volume coordination across jurisdictions so we get faster responses and stronger intelligence sharing. Bordering states will jointly plan operations, share intelligence in real time, and coordinate responses. I will also push for an independent Internal Affairs Agency to investigate misconduct within police and other security services. This is how we rescue your community from banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crime. This plan covers every part of Nigeria.
On power, my policy is to unbundle state power assets, concession national grid transmission to private investors, get gas supply guarantees for power plants, and encourage captive power generation for industrial zones. I want to open up the entire power sector, from generation to transmission, for private investment. I am determined to see governments, both federal and state, create a business environment that makes private power companies more competitive, by reducing their costs of set-up and operations, improving their margins, and making government policies more predictable. I also want to see an environment where distribution companies can recover full costs for power supplied, with a firm commitment to a metering program for all customers, and I want the scourge of electricity theft dealt with through partnership between distribution company investors and government, backed by legislative support for prompt action against electricity theft.
On protecting your vote, I believe protecting votes at the Polling Units level is vital, and that votes will count if they are protected by those who cast them. I have said that citizens must take the responsibility of safeguarding votes seriously if we are to have credible elections that earn voters' trust. I want a Nigeria where people vote peacefully, votes are counted transparently, the winner governs, and the loser prepares for another contest. I have urged INEC and election security agencies toward conduct that serves this, and I have urged members of my party and agents of other parties to conduct themselves according to the laid down regulations on election day.
Where this comes from
p. 4 Introduction Atiku Abubakar: Answers to questions from the public 2026-10-02 ›
Q14: Electricity is unreliable and families and businesses spend a large part of their income on generators. How will you make power more reliable and affordable? Answer: My policy is to unbundle state power assets, concession national grid transmission to private investors, get gas supply guarantees for power plants, and encourage captive power generation for industrial zones.
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1718948336344936730 2023-10-30 ›
Yet that same INEC undermined the use of that technology during the elections and collation process and declared as winner someone who clearly did not win the Presidential election. They then went further to take sides in the courts in a dogfight to defend their illegality. Who would convince the millions of Nigerians to vote in future elections after they suffered endlessly on queues to register to vote, to collect PVCs and to vote, based on INEC’s assurances only to see their votes stolen and given to someone they did not vote for?
When people lose trust and confidence in elections, democracy is practically on life support. And by affirming and legitimizing the continued lack of transparency in our electoral system the courts are continuing to usurp the rights of voters to elect their leaders. The other grave implication is that contestants in Nigeria’s elections should do whatever is necessary to be declared the winner. That includes identity theft, impersonation, forging of educational and other documents, perjury, and violence.
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1722201600645873726 2023-11-08 ›
The governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states are scheduled to take place this Saturday, the 11th day of November.
These elections, which are classified as off-cycle, are the first set of polls to take place after the 2023 general elections in our country.
Although there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections, but that shortcoming is not enough reason for us to give up on democracy.
Despite our disappointments, I urge us all to derive wisdom in the immortal saying of former US President James Monroe that, "the best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil."
Our objective of defeating anti-democratic elements in our polity cannot be successful if we refuse to go out enmasse to cast our ballot on Election Day.
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1752733476623630789 2024-01-31 ›
Our country stands at the cusp of a new beginning, and the decisions that voters in the elections on Saturday shall make will determine how ready we are, as a people, to provoke the march to economic and national recovery.
I would also like to advocate for a peaceful election this Saturday and urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the opportunity of this by-election to redeem itself of the fraudulent and shambolic elections of 2023.
I want to specifically urge members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party and, indeed, agents of other political parties participating in the elections to conduct themselves according to the laid down regulations on the day of the election. -AA
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1763109780443328986 2024-02-29 ›
· Open up the entire power sector from generation to transmission for private investments.
Going forward, the goal of every developing country must be to achieve universal access to electricity, ensuring that every citizen benefits from reliable power for daily needs, education, healthcare, and economic activities. This would be in line with the SDG 7 (Sustainable Development Goal 7), which aims to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. In this wise:
· Nigeria must double efforts to support the likes of Prof Nnaji. Nigerian governments both federal and state must provide the Business environment that will make the private enterprises more competitive by (1) reducing their costs of set-up and operations (2) improving their margins and (3) making government policies more predictable
· In particular, the authorities must create an environment that will enable distribution companies to recover full costs for power supplied to their consumers with firm commitment to a metering program for all customers. The scourge of electricity theft must be dealt with through a viable partnership between investors in the distribution companies and the government with legislative support for prompt action against electricity theft.
Thread on X Thread by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/1925268434147057770 2025-05-21 ›
Indeed, if Taraba, aspires to realise its potential and grow its economy sustainably, it must endeavour to leverage private sector resources including finance, skills and technology. No Nigerian State has the necessary fiscal and financial space to independently drive growth and achieve sustainable development. Building strategic partnerships between the State, private investors, local businesses and communities is critical in addressing resources gaps and unlocking the potential of the State to facilitate investments.
As a private businessman, I recognize that investments, foreign and domestic, drive economic growth and development. Here are a few key benefits:
First, private investments will help bridge the resource gaps through additional external resource flows and increased internally generated revenues.
Second, private investments will assist the State in leveraging and maximizing the economic potential of its agricultural, industrial, and solid minerals sectors. This initiative aims to establish a foundation for a diversified economy and ensure inclusive growth.
Post on X Post by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2039053674731720819 2026-03-31 ›
This afternoon, I received the Enugu Polling Booths Vanguard for Atiku, a group chiefly concerned with the sanctity of the ballots, led by Chief Obodoeze Ocho. They believe that every vote must count in 2027. I fully agree with them that protecting votes at the Polling Units level is vital for the coming elections. I told them that, for us to have credible elections that earn voters' trust, citizens must take the responsibility of safeguarding votes seriously. Votes will count if they are protected by those who cast them. -AA
Article on X Article by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2087552029358956958 2026-08-12 ›
Young Nigerians will not remain enthusiastic about elections if they believe participation makes no difference. We must continue strengthening the independence and credibility of our electoral institutions and build a country where election day becomes an ordinary democratic exercise rather than a national emergency.
I want a Nigeria where people vote peacefully, the votes are counted transparently, the winner governs, the loser prepares for another contest, and the country moves forward.
But democracy is not strengthened merely by what we promise for tomorrow. It is strengthened by what we are prepared to defend today.
A WARNING ON THE OSUN ELECTION
So before I go further, let me speak directly to INEC, the security agencies and the Tinubu administration about the Osun governorship election.
What we are witnessing in the build-up to that election is deeply troubling. The scale and posture of security deployment make it appear as though Nigeria is preparing for war rather than conducting an election.
Article on X Article by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2087552029358956958 2026-08-12 ›
President Tinubu and his administration must resist any temptation to turn institutions of the Nigerian state into instruments of partisan advantage.
The police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC.
And let nobody misunderstand our demand for peaceful elections as weakness. We are asking only for what the Constitution and democracy guarantee every Nigerian: the freedom to vote and the right to have that vote count.
If our institutions cannot conduct a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election in one state, Nigerians will legitimately ask what confidence they should have in the general election next year.
The world is watching Osun. Nigerians are watching. History is taking notes.
So my message to INEC, the security agencies and the Tinubu administration is simple:
Let the people vote.
Let every vote count.
p. 28 ○ To the North: Niger Party Manifesto 2027-2031 2026-10-05 ›
● Establish an independent Internal Affairs Agency to investigate misconduct within police and other security services
8. Internal Security and Crime Prevention Strengthen response to banditry and kidnapping.
Details: Establish Anti-Banditry and Kidnapping Special Units in every state command, made up of highly trained and mobile personnel
9. Adopt a firehose principle for security coordination.
We will drive continuous, high-volume coordination across jurisdictions, both internally and externally, to ensure faster responses, stronger intelligence sharing, and more effective security outcomes.
Details:
● Strengthen internal security collaboration by enabling bordering states to jointly plan and execute security operations, share intelligence in real time, and coordinate responses to threats, regardless of regional grouping ● Establish joint security task frameworks between neighbouring countries facing similar threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crime ● Strengthen external security cooperation with Nigeria's neighbours:
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-10 ›
I believe that with the right political leadership, Nigerian security forces have the capacity to take on the insecurity confronting this country. That is why I am committed to concrete steps: setting up Anti-Banditry and Kidnapping Special Units in every state command, made up of highly trained, mobile personnel, and adopting a firehose principle for security coordination, driving continuous, high-volume coordination across jurisdictions so we get faster responses, stronger intelligence sharing, and better outcomes. I also want an independent Internal Affairs Agency to investigate misconduct within police and other security services, and joint security frameworks with neighbouring states and countries facing the same threats. This is how we rescue our communities from banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crime.
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-11 ›
Here is what I will move, and why it matters for you: I want to take key responsibilities off the Exclusive Legislative List and put them on the Concurrent and residual levels, so your state has greater control over sectors that affect your daily life. Specifically, I will transfer greater authority to states over policing, prisons, and railways. I will decentralize control over mines, minerals, oil fields, and natural gas, with clear national standards and safeguards in place. I will also let states manage things like business registration, drugs and narcotics control, and criminal identification systems. On power, I plan to move electricity distribution and generation off the exclusive federal list, so states and off-grid developers can connect and supply electricity directly to communities like yours.
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-14 ›
My plan to tackle insecurity covers every part of Nigeria, the North West included. I am committed to setting up Anti-Banditry and Kidnapping Special Units in every state command, made up of highly trained, mobile personnel, to strengthen the response to banditry and kidnapping. I also want to adopt a firehose principle for security coordination, driving continuous, high-volume coordination across jurisdictions so we get faster responses and stronger intelligence sharing. On top of this, bordering states will jointly plan operations, share intelligence in real time, and coordinate responses, and I will push for an independent Internal Affairs Agency to investigate misconduct within police and other security services. This is how we rescue your community from banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crime.
p. 1 CANDIDATE-APPROVED ANSWER Candidate-approved answer 2026-10-16 ›
On insecurity, my plan covers every part of Nigeria, the north included. I am committed to setting up Anti-Banditry and Kidnapping Special Units in every state command, made up of highly trained, mobile personnel, to strengthen the response to banditry and kidnapping. I want to adopt a firehose principle for security coordination, driving continuous, high-volume coordination across jurisdictions, so we get faster responses and stronger intelligence sharing. Bordering states will jointly plan operations, share intelligence in real time, and coordinate responses, and this will extend to joint security frameworks with neighbouring countries facing the same threats. I will also push for an independent Internal Affairs Agency to investigate misconduct within police and other security services. This is how we rescue your community from banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crime. I believe that with the right political leadership, Nigerian security forces have the capacity to take on the insecurity confronting this country.