Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the 2027 general election as a rescue mission for Nigerians, urging voters to support the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to restore economic stability and improve living conditions.

Atiku, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate, made the call on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

He urged council members to mobilise Nigerians across the country, stressing that the election would determine the welfare of families and whether citizens could regain access to affordable living.

“This election is a rescue mission, and every Nigerian with a PVC has a part to play. Let us urge them to dust off their PVCs and use them,” he said.

Atiku added that the ballot remained a powerful instrument for deciding whether life would become affordable again amid the country’s economic challenges.

The former vice-president also emphasised the need for electoral transparency, warning that policies and security plans would amount to little if citizens’ votes were manipulated or stolen.

He called for accredited party agents, civil society organisations and election observers to be allowed to verify results independently, noting that their activities would complement the responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Transparency is not a crime. Accredited party agents, civil society organisations and observers have the right to independently verify results and operate situation rooms,” he said.

According to him, such measures would help ensure that national election outcomes accurately reflect results recorded at polling units.

He also advocated greater scrutiny of electoral technology, insisting that election systems should be open to independent audits and public examination.

Atiku called for severe penalties for vote suppression, result manipulation and other electoral offences, describing them as necessary safeguards for protecting the people’s mandate.

On political campaigns, he condemned reported attempts to prevent opposition candidates from campaigning in parts of Benue State, insisting that no community should be inaccessible to opposition parties.

He pledged that ADC candidates would campaign across the country and resist unlawful restrictions on their political activities.

Addressing the economy, Atiku advocated support for petroleum products refined locally and sold domestically. He also proposed budgetary allocations, spending limits and independent audits to promote accountability.

He said the country’s economic recovery must extend beyond fuel prices to include affordable food, reliable electricity, employment opportunities, business growth and improved security for farmers and road users.

“Fuel is only one part of the damage. We must make food affordable, restore reliable power, put people to work and let businesses grow. We must secure the roads and farms,” he said.

Atiku further stressed the need to create opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents and compete globally, arguing that economic growth must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

He described the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council as an important milestone and urged its members to approach their responsibilities with seriousness, urgency and commitment to achieving the party’s objectives.