By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the country’s political future, declaring that they are no longer “leaders of tomorrow” but leaders of today.
Atiku made the call on Wednesday at the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, where he challenged young Nigerians to “register, organise and lead” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said successive governments had kept young Nigerians waiting for too long while unemployment, insecurity, rising living costs and limited economic opportunities continued to undermine their aspirations.
According to Atiku, many young Nigerians have been forced to seek opportunities abroad, while those who remain have survived through entrepreneurship, technology, agriculture, creative industries and other forms of self-employment.
“Your time is not tomorrow. Your time is now,” Atiku tells Nigerian youths as he urges them to register, organise and lead.
“We call it Japa, but it is more than a slang word. It is a verdict on a system that has failed to give many of its brightest young people sufficient reason to believe that their dreams can be realised at home,” he said.
The ADC candidate said the resilience and achievements of Nigerian youths demonstrated what they could accomplish if supported by functional institutions, reliable electricity, infrastructure, security and access to capital.
Atiku promised to expand transparent access to finance for young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, technology founders and workers in the creative economy, while pledging reforms in education, digital connectivity and skills development.
He also announced a political inclusion target, saying at least 30 percent of ADC legislative candidates would be below 40 years, with a significant number expected to be below 30.
He, however, challenged young Nigerians to prepare themselves for leadership rather than simply complain about those currently in power.
“Do not simply complain about the people making decisions. Prepare yourselves to replace those who are failing you,” Atiku told the delegates.
The former vice president also warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Federal Government over the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
He criticised the scale of security deployment around the election, arguing that elections should be civil democratic exercises and not resemble military operations.
“Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he said, demanding that security agencies protect voters rather than intimidate them.
Atiku called on INEC to ensure the prompt delivery of election materials, free voting, credible counting and transparent transmission of results, warning that the conduct of the Osun election would influence public confidence in the 2027 general election.
He also questioned reported discrepancies surrounding the certificate President Bola Tinubu submitted to INEC, arguing that political leaders should be subjected to the same standards expected of ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku urged young Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious divisions and organise around common challenges, including poverty, unemployment and insecurity. He said the ADC would welcome their scrutiny and participation, insisting that political loyalty should not replace accountability.
