Me za ka yi domin rage tsadar rayuwa da kuma samar da damammaki ga matasa?

Being text of a press conference by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar (GCON), Waziri Adamawa, Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (2023), at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre on the 5th of October 2023. Protocol Gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I consider it important to address and report to you today on issues that define the future of elective government and legitimate leadership in our country. Political leadership and active citizenship matter because they are ways through which we all work together to build a country that works for all who live in it. Our country is bigger than any of us, and its standing in the world affects the fate of all who come from or live in it. As leaders, it is our duty to advance the well-being of all our people and of the country. For this purpose, my generation worked hard to return the soldiers to the barracks and to defend the right of the people to elect and establish for ourselves a legitimate government. Our elections are established and governed by law and founded on the constitution from which leadership and government in Nigeria alone derive their legitimacy.

The people look up to us as leaders to respect these rules and, where necessary, to defend them. This is what brings us here. Today, we are called upon again as a people to uphold and defend the ground rules of elective government in our country. The constitution prescribes the requirements for those who seek the highest elective office in the land. It should not take months or, indeed, decades, for the institutions concerned to be able to do their work in establishing the credibility of any certificates presented by candidates for public office. We undertook this journey at great cost and for important reasons. The ground rules for legitimate governance in our country need to be upheld, and the reputation of our country is at stake. That affects everyone, Nigerians everywhere. I am a democrat by conviction and a citizen of a country that I love. The issues at stake in this case require us once more to re-dedicate ourselves to both the country and our constitution.

The local government elections in Rivers State tomorrow stand as a beacon of hope, offering renewed vigour to constitutional democracy at the very core of governance. These elections present an opportunity to uphold the Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy, breathing life into the foundational principles of our republic. Undoubtedly, this election resounds as a powerful affirmation of constitutionalism and the rule of law, a cause that should rally the support of all true champions of democracy. It is a call to every believer in the democratic process to stand firm in defence of the people's right to choose their leaders freely and fairly. I commend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, @SimFubaraKSC, for his courageous leadership in ensuring local government elections are held in Rivers State. I also encourage every resident to embrace their civic duty with peace and purpose as they cast their votes, selecting those who will lead at the grassroots level.

Poverty is the greatest enemy that humanity has ever known. Wherever it takes root, whether in the life of an individual or across a society, it breeds other troubles like disease, ignorance, insecurity, and hopelessness. The declaration of this day as the International Day for Poverty Eradication is a timely reminder and a call to action. It urges governments, civil society, and every stakeholder to join hands in the fight against poverty in all its forms. In Nigeria, we have sadly earned the label of being among the nations hardest hit by poverty. That is why my advocacy for deliberate, people-centred solutions to end poverty remains strong and consistent. At both government and community levels, we must take the fight against poverty to every home, every community, and every school so that the ordinary Nigerian becomes part of the solution. As a wise Nigerian proverb says, “When the poor man is hungry, peace sleeps outside.” When poverty is defeated, the freedom and dignity of every man and woman will find true meaning. -AA

The reports from the spokesperson of our great party, which exposes the plans of the government and its agents to revoke the licence of Rainbow Event Centre for the singular offence of hosting the African Democratic Congress convention slated for today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, is a shameful and cowardly abuse of public office. Let it be said without equivocation: coercing a private business owner to deny a lawfully registered opposition party the use of a venue is not governance. It is not politics. It is the naked conduct of a regime that has lost the argument, lost the people, and now reaches for the boot because it has nothing else left. The ADC has paid every fee. The ADC has signed every contract. The ADC has broken no law. Our only offence is that we are organising, we are growing, and we are preparing to retire this failed government at the ballot box in 2027. This is how democracies are strangled, not in a single dramatic blow, but in a thousand petty, vindictive acts against opposition parties, against free assembly, and against the sacred right of citizens to choose their own leaders. To the international community, and every democratic partner of Nigeria: take note of what is being done here tonight, and in whose name.

We will be guided by clear national plans with set targets and timelines in line with commitments enshrined in our party’s manifesto. We will provide clear leadership that will empower our states to competitively attain the potentials of meeting the expectations of citizens. That will include working with them to guarantee well-outlined minimum standards of welfare provision in line with international best standards. Ours will be a new era of accountable leadership. We shall prioritise Security, Education, the Economy, Healthcare and the challenge of power- sharing among the constituent units of our country. Security Every region of this country is gripped by insecurity, the worst kind in our history. Our people are being slaughtered in large numbers and the government has failed to take decisive and effective action to stop it and bring the perpetrators to justice. The most disturbing is that members of our security forces, including military generals, are being slaughtered wantonly in a manner that can only be embarrassing to our military, which fought to keep the country together and is highly respected in various parts of the world where they distinguished themselves in international assignments. All we have been getting from the government is silence and, on occasion, expression of condolence and empty promises to deal with the murderers.

But I cannot achieve that vision alone. No President, no matter how determined, can rebuild Nigeria without the active participation of its greatest asset—its young people. That brings me to the central message of my address today: The role of young Nigerians in building a new democratic Nigeria. The current political establishment often looks at young Nigerians and sees a restless population to be managed, manipulated or mobilised only during elections. I see something entirely different. I see the greatest national asset Nigeria has ever produced. I see innovators building world-class businesses from laptops and mobile phones. I see young farmers feeding communities despite enormous odds. I see creators, engineers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, artisans and professionals proving every day that the Nigerian spirit cannot be defeated. Unfortunately, I also see enormous talent trapped by poor leadership.

Where competence matters more than connections. Where character matters more than political patronage. Where hard work is rewarded, and every young Nigerian has a fair opportunity to succeed. My dear young people, The greatest tragedy before us is not that Nigerian youths lack talent. The greatest tragedy is that Nigeria has lacked leadership worthy of your talent. That is why this election is different. This election is not merely about changing a government. It is about changing the direction of our country. It is about restoring hope. It is about rebuilding confidence. It is about creating opportunities. It is about ensuring that no young Nigerian feels compelled to abandon the country of his birth in search of dignity elsewhere. I believe in the Nigerian youth. I believe in your intelligence. I believe in your creativity. I believe in your resilience. And I believe that if we work together, there is no obstacle too great for our nation to overcome.

Nigeria cannot continue asking competent young people to wait outside the room while their future is being decided inside it. MY COVENANT WITH YOU Our partnership must also mean something practical in the lives of young Nigerians. It begins with jobs and enterprise. Nigeria has millions of young people with ideas, energy and ambition, but too many cannot access the capital required to turn those ideas into businesses. We will expand transparent access to finance for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, technology founders and people working in the creative economy. Your surname, political connection or ability to find a godfather should not determine whether a good idea receives an opportunity to succeed. Education must also change. We cannot continue educating young Nigerians for an economy that no longer exists. Our schools must place greater emphasis on science, technology, vocational education, agriculture, digital skills, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. And no brilliant Nigerian child should be denied tertiary education simply because his or her parents are poor.

That is how political change happens too. Every young Nigerian who decides that hopelessness is no longer acceptable adds another stream. Every young person who registers, organises and decides to lead adds strength to the current. One person may be ignored, but millions cannot be ignored. One voice may be silenced, but a generation determined to shape its future cannot be wished away. So when you return to your states, local governments, wards, campuses and communities, do not allow the energy of this summit to end in this hall. Take it with you. Organise it. Multiply it. Turn it into participation, ideas, candidates and votes. Let the river rise. Let it rise across every ward, every community and every state until it becomes a democratic current strong enough to carry Nigeria towards the future its young people deserve. For too long, you have been called the leaders of tomorrow. I say again:

Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper. The cost-of-living crisis has stripped millions of Nigerians of purchasing power, weakened small businesses and pushed too many young people farther away from jobs, capital and economic independence. My commitment is to change that. We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity. It was against this background that I was pleased to receive, this afternoon, a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who came to declare their support for my presidential candidacy.

Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper. The cost-of-living crisis has stripped millions of Nigerians of purchasing power, weakened small businesses and pushed too many young people farther away from jobs, capital and economic independence. My commitment is to change that. We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $10 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity. It was against this background that I was pleased to receive, this afternoon, a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who came to declare their support for my presidential candidacy.

The former Vice President reiterated his commitment to policies designed to reduce the cost of living if elected president, including a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, rather than a return to an open-ended subsidy on imported fuel. He said the policy would be structured to support domestic refining, eliminate waste and ensure that government support translates directly into lower prices for consumers. “My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people. “We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer. “The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people.” Atiku said Nigeria’s young people deserve classrooms, skills, jobs and opportunities that allow them to fulfil their potential rather than an economy that leaves survival increasingly dependent on dangerous and uncertain livelihoods.

Our People First agenda is gathering momentum across Nigeria. At the heart of that agenda is my firm commitment to make life affordable again for Nigerian families. That includes restoring fuel subsidy—not the old import-dependent system, but a targeted production subsidy that supports fuel refined here in Nigeria, strengthens domestic production and is designed to reduce the price Nigerians pay at the pump. When fuel becomes more affordable, transportation costs can ease. The cost of moving food from farms to markets can come down. Small businesses can breathe again. Families can keep more of their hard-earned money. That is the purpose of our People First policy: put the welfare of Nigerians at the centre of government. The tremendous reception we received in Ondo State today, as we welcomed new members into our great party, the ADC, was deeply encouraging. The enthusiasm was unmistakable.

My plan for you, Nigeria's young people, starts with this: you should not be asked to wait outside the room while your future is being decided inside it. It begins with jobs and enterprise. I know Nigeria has millions of young people with ideas, energy and ambition, but too many cannot get the capital to turn those ideas into businesses. I am determined to expand transparent access to finance for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, technology founders and people working in the creative economy. Your surname, your political connections, or whether you can find a godfather, should not decide whether your idea gets a chance to succeed. As part of this, we will put in place a financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs, so that young Nigerians can move from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity

On jobs, skills and enterprise, I see millions of young Nigerians with ideas, energy and ambition, but too many cannot access the capital to turn those ideas into businesses. I am committed to expanding transparent access to finance for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, technology founders and people in the creative economy, so that your surname, political connection or ability to find a godfather does not determine whether your idea gets a chance to succeed. This includes a major financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Our objective is to move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity. On education, I want to change how we prepare young Nigerians for work. Our schools must place greater emphasis on science, technology, vocational education, agriculture, digital skills, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. No brilliant Nigerian child should be denied university, polytechnic or college education simply because his or her parents are poor. I see young Nigerians as the greatest national asset Nigeria has ever produced, innovators, farmers, engineers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs and artisans, and I believe no President can rebuild Nigeria without their active participation.

On the cost of living, I will pursue a targeted production subsidy for fuel refined here in Nigeria, rather than going back to an open-ended subsidy on imported fuel. This will support Nigerian refining, create Nigerian jobs, cut waste, and make sure government support delivers a measurable benefit to you, the consumer. My objective is clear: lower the cost of energy, lower transportation and production costs, strengthen what Nigeria produces, and restore your purchasing power. That is how I will give families breathing room again. On poverty, my policy expands cash transfers to poor households, tied to school attendance and child vaccination, alongside a revitalised national school feeding scheme. And because I believe Nigerians deserve more than promises, my administration will launch an online Promise Tracker, publishing live budget spending, contract awards, and performance results, so you can see for yourself whether these commitments are being kept, and hold my government accountable.

I hear what you are describing, and I will not pretend it is a small thing. My plan is clear: end insecurity, bring down the cost of living, create opportunities for every Nigerian, and uphold the rule of law. I have done this kind of work before. In government I led the reforms that returned loss-making government companies to private hands and opened our economy to private investment. I served in the Customs Service from 1969 to 1986, and I have built businesses that today employ thousands of Nigerians. I know how jobs are created, and I bring that experience to this task. I have told Nigeria's young people plainly that they do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper. That is the standard I am holding myself to. To the working men and women of this country, including those struggling to find work, I have said you deserve leadership that spends the nation's resources on your welfare, not on opaque mega-projects that serve the well-connected. You deserve a government that measures its success by your living standards, not by the size of its spending, the growth of its debt, or the breadth of its patronage networks.

On this, my commitment is to make sure persons with disabilities can fully take part in society, with accessibility and equal opportunity enforced across every sector. I will enforce compliance with accessibility standards in public infrastructure, schools, workplaces, transportation systems, and digital platforms, with penalties for those who do not comply and incentives for those who design inclusively. I am determined to expand access to assistive technologies, inclusive education, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, so that the path from school to work is one they can actually walk. For those not currently in school, I have said that a skills-to-job programme will target all categories of youth, including graduates, early school leavers, and the many young people currently not in education, employment, or training. Alongside this, technical and vocational education will be expanded, with student loans and financing support to help young Nigerians access that training, and vocational pathways built into secondary education itself.