The wife of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Titi Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the economy, governance and rising hardship, saying she wonders how Nigerians are surviving.
Titi made the remarks on Thursday at an ADC All Support Groups Town Hall Meeting in Abuja, where she also urged youths to mobilise at the grassroots and support her husband, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 presidential election.
She said the country’s economy was in crisis and alleged that constitutional governance and the rule of law had been undermined under the Tinubu administration.
“Now, today, we have no constitution. We have no rule of law. Nothing is working. Our economy is in shambles,” she said.
Titi also questioned the country’s budgeting process, expressing concern over the ability of Nigerians to cope with the prevailing economic conditions.
“Right from 2023 up to date, there is no budget in Nigeria. And I wonder how people are living. I wonder how people are eating,” she said.
She said Atiku was seeking the presidency to reverse the country’s fortunes and restore confidence in governance.
“Atiku wants to put things right. We want to be like other nations, but here and now, we don’t have anything at all. We are not proud of ourselves,” she added.
Titi described Atiku as an experienced politician and philanthropist, insisting that he would not need to learn the workings of government if elected president.
“Atiku is a sellable material. That is why I am 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 said her husband was motivated by a desire to improve Nigerians’ lives rather than enrich himself through public office.
“Atiku is a man of honour, a man of his word. Atiku is not coming to chop government money. Atiku wants to give back to you people,” she said.
Titi further said Atiku had pledged to serve only one term if elected, but expressed confidence that his performance would make Nigerians demand another term.
“By the grace of God, when Atiku comes to this saddle, people will yearn that Atiku should continue and do a second term,” she said.
According to her, the former vice-president would use his first term to prepare his deputy for eventual succession.
“By then, he would have tutored his deputy; maybe the deputy will take over from him,” she said.
The ADC chieftain also called on youths and women to play a central role in the party’s 2027 campaign, saying Atiku had promised that they would receive 40 per cent of government appointments if elected.
She urged young Nigerians to move beyond expressing support online and take their mobilisation to polling units.
Titi also warned voters against selling their votes to politicians, saying vote-buying could undermine the future of younger generations.
“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 said.
She added, “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.”
The town hall, themed ‘Together We Can Build the Nigeria We Desire,’ focused on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit coordination, vote protection and increased participation by youths, women and support groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
