Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerian youths to reject vote-buying and other forms of electoral inducement as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja during the inauguration of state coordinators of RiseUpNaija (RUN), a political movement supporting his presidential ambition.
Addressing members of the movement, the former vice-president said his aspiration to lead the country is rooted in a commitment to promoting accountable leadership, strengthening institutions and creating equal opportunities for Nigerians.
“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,” Atiku said.
“I see brilliant young people leaving Nigeria, not because they have stopped loving their country, but because they no longer believe their country loves them back.”
He urged young voters not to sacrifice their future for temporary material benefits, stressing that their collective voting strength is more powerful than money.
“Young Nigerians constitute the largest voting population in our country,” he said.
“Yet, too often, you have allowed yourselves to be divided by tribe, religion and political manipulation while a much smaller political class decides your future. That must end.
“Your vote is far more valuable than any amount of money a politician can offer.
“Do not exchange four years of your future for one afternoon of inducement. A bag of rice will disappear.”
Atiku also outlined what he described as three strategic priorities, urging young Nigerians to move beyond online activism and actively participate in the democratic process.
According to him, although social media has helped amplify public discourse and hold leaders accountable, real political change depends on participation at the ballot box.
“Hashtags do not count votes. Livestreams do not secure polling units. Tweets do not defend democracy. Only citizens do,” he said.
“Our challenge in 2027 is therefore clear.
“We must transform online influence into offline participation. Register to vote. Verify your registration. Understand the Electoral Act. Volunteer. Serve as polling agents. Observe the process. Protect the people’s mandate peacefully and lawfully.”
He argued that while established politicians may possess financial resources, young Nigerians have the advantage of numbers capable of shaping the country’s future.
“If millions of young Nigerians participate peacefully, vote responsibly and defend the integrity of the process, no amount of money can overcome the collective will of the people,” he said.
“Democracy belongs to those who show up.”
Calling for issue-based politics, Atiku urged Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious divisions during the next election cycle.
“Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Nigerian politics is that those who benefit from our divisions have convinced us that our neighbour is our enemy,” he said.
“Our shared challenges must produce a shared purpose.”
He maintained that Nigeria’s progress depends on unity rather than division.
“In 2027, let us vote for competence. Let us vote for character, ideas and for the future,” he said.
“Encourage peaceful participation. Reject violence, intimidation, vote-buying and every attempt to make democracy a marketplace where votes are purchased instead of earned. Our democracy deserves better.”
RiseUpNaija (RUN), the movement inaugurated at the event, comprises young members drawn from several opposition political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).
Speaking at the inauguration, the group’s convener, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, tasked state coordinators with building strong grassroots structures nationwide to support the ADC’s 2027 presidential campaign.
“Our target is to have 20 million active voters to deliver our candidate in 2027,” Ibrahim-Imam said.
“We must have a presence in every polling unit. Our target is to have at least 100 members in every polling unit.”
He added that the movement aims to establish at least 17.6 million registered members across Nigeria’s approximately 176,000 polling units, noting that Adamawa State currently leads its membership drive.