Titi Abubakar, wife of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has said her husband is not seeking the presidency to acquire Nigerians’ money but give back to society if elected in 2027.
Speaking at the ADC All Support Groups Town Hall Meeting in Abuja (with related remarks also circulating in a campaign video), Mrs Abubakar described the former Vice-President as an experienced philanthropist who would not need to learn on the job.
“Atiku is a sellable material. That is why I’m so proud of my husband. Atiku is a philanthropist. Atiku has done it before.Atiku is not going to learn on the job, and Atiku is not a novice”, she said.
She dismissed suggestions that Atiku, who turns 80 this year, is driven by personal ambition for wealth or power.
“Atiku doesn’t want Nigerians’ money. Atiku just want wants to give back to the society what the society has done for him. Because many people keep saying, what is he looking for? Very soon, he’s going to be 80”, Mrs Abubakar stated.
She added that Atiku is “a man of honour, a man of his word” who is “not coming to chop government money” but wants to improve Nigerians’ lives and show them how government should work.
Mrs Abubakar noted that Atiku has indicated he would serve only one term. She expressed confidence, however, that Nigerians would eventually demand a second term after seeing results, by which time he would have mentored his deputy for possible succession.
“By the grace of God, when Atiku comes to this saddle, people will yearn that Atiku should continue and do a second term…By then, he would have tutored his deputy, maybe the deputy will take over from him”.
She said the campaign would rely heavily on young people as “foot soldiers” and highlighted Atiku’s pledge that youths and women would receive 40 per cent of government appointments if elected.
Mrs Abubakar urged youths to mobilize at the grassroots, protect their votes at polling units, and reject cash inducements.
“ADC doesn’t have that money to give you. Don’t be a sellout. Because these people, they have all our money in their kitties. Don’t allow them to come and give you money and you sell your conscience. If you sell your vote, you are selling the vote of your generation yet unborn”
She also criticised the state of the country, saying nothing is working under the current administration, the economy is in crisis, and the constitution and the rule of law have been undermined, while questioning how ordinary Nigerians are coping with the current harsh economic situation.
-9News Nigeria.
