Let’s optimize our convergence to rescue Nigeria, Atiku charges ADC leaders
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday charged leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC to utilize the opportunity of their coming together to rescue Nigeria by wrestling power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC come 2027.
Atiku avail himself the opportunity of the convergence of opposition political figures at a public presentation of a book, ‘The Loyalist’ written by the ADC national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, to rally genuine collaboration to unseat the Bola Tinubu – led APC administration, which he described as the worst government he has ever seen.
At the book launch in Abuja were national officers of ADC, Senator David Mark, national chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, national secretary, Prof.Osaremen Osunbor, national legal advisor, Mallam Kashim Imam, Dr. Hakeem Baba- Ahmed, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Other notable politicians present were; Chief. Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedoiha, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Sen. Ben Obi and Aisha Yesufu.
Elated Atiku said “finally, we have a unique opportunity within the ADC as a political party. It is a convergence of various political leanings across the country, united in an effort to reunite Nigeria and renew our democratic journey.
“If there is anything positive in our recent political development, it is this coming together to rescue the country from what I consider the worst administration I have witnessed in nearly four decades of political life.
“Not even the military dictatorships before 1999 damaged our national life and consciousness in the way this administration has done.”
The former governor of Adamawa State lamented the derailing of the ruling APC from the progressives footing upon which it was formed.
He said “many of us here were part of the formation of the APC. Unfortunately, what we believed would rescue the country has not happened.
“Just as we once took responsibility to come together and form a political alternative, we must again come together to ensure the emergence of a new political organisation capable of salvaging this country for the benefit of its people.”
Speaking on the title of the book, Atiku, who was the chairman of the event , said the book matter to all politicians.
“The Loyalist invites us to examine loyalty—to country, community, institutions, and to our own moral compass—vis-à-vis personal loyalty, especially in a time of rapid change and competing narratives.
“The book offers a principled lens for distinguishing truth from rhetoric. It challenges us to consider how loyalty can unite us in the service of a shared and just future.
“Many of us here—particularly Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, Abdullahi, and myself—have suffered because of loyalty. I have personally faced exile as a result of loyalty. I have survived assassination attempts as a result of loyalty. So, Bolaji, what you may have found through research is not unusual; it is part of the price many of us have paid.
“Loyalty should strengthen the common goal, not narrow the circle of belonging. It requires accountability, transparency, and the ability to listen and learn—especially from those with whom we disagree.
“True loyalty embraces diversity of thought and protects the dignity of every citizen. As leaders and aspiring leaders, these are lessons we must bear in mind for leadership and public service.
“Leaders build trust through consistency, courage, and compassion. Loyalty begets loyalty. Institutions endure when they honour tradition while boldly pursuing reforms that serve the people. Courage in leadership means making hard choices—sometimes extremely hard—communicating openly and sincerely, and standing with the vulnerable in empathy.
In his address during the book launch, former governor of Osun State warned the APC not bask in the euphoria of state governors from.other parties defecting to the ruling party.
Aregbesola presented statistics from the 2023 general election in the South West and South East to support his postulation that governors don’t win elections but the people do.
“The fact that certain governors are defecting to the APC shows that our unity (ADC leaders) is weakened.
“I laugh because recent statistics in Nigeria, based on the last election, do not support this belief. In the past, to quit the government and the federal social, let them commit to a free and fair electoral process. We will then see if it is true.
“The second point is a scenario where I want to use results from two zones—just two zones—to show that when a party controls a state, it may not necessarily translate to votes.
“I want to use the results from the Southwest and Southeast. In the Southwest, the APC controlled all but one state. Despite this, the party’s maximum performance in that election was 55%, with the other parties sharing the rest.
“The same applied in Lagos. The APC candidate lost his ward, local government, and state. So please, for goodness’ sake, where is it claimed that governors win elections against the people’s will? That is the Southwest.
“In the Southeast, the result is even more striking. The APC had only 5.8% of the total vote from that zone. I’ll stop at that. The results of these two zones clearly show that governors do not win elections—the people do.
“What we require from the government overseeing the election is a commitment to a free and fair process. So first, commit yourself to a free and fair election, and let us see what the result will be. That’s what we’re asking.”
National chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark David Mark who was the Special Guest of Honour, charged parry leaders that the mission to rescue Nigeria is collective.
He described Abdullahi, as a straightforward person, and even when they disagreed, his advice was always adopted.
“He is a committed Nigerian, very patriotic. Most Nigerians are interested in personal benefits. He has paid his dues and done his best,” he said.
Speakers poured encomium on Abdullah yo taking out time to write the book which was described as a chronicle of political commitments, events and realignment.
The 297 pages book was reviewed by Dr. Hakeem Baba- Ahmed.
In his vote of thanks, Abdullahi stated that “for 2027, Nigerians are ready. But I don’t think we are ready. We are not coming together enough. We are not holding hands enough. Nigerians look at us; they see different enclaves and different entities. They see competition rather than cooperation.
“I know I am talking myself into trouble again. I have been under fire in the last three days by some of the passionate supporters on Twitter. But I will keep saying this, because Nigeria, this country, has no substitute, has no alternative.
“So I want to use this opportunity, please. Because more than I appreciate all the money you have pledged, I was telling my wife that maybe I should actually be a full-time writer, because it appears to be more lucrative.
“I am making this appeal: please, come together more. Let our followers direct their passion into the ADC.
“Let them know there is only one party, and our mission is bigger than anything—any individual or individual ambition. This is what I’m begging. So it is my hope that if this is the only thing that this gathering this afternoon is able to achieve, Alhamdulillah.”
