Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to vote for candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Saturday’s Area Council elections, describing the poll as a critical test of Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
Atiku, who served as Vice-President from 1999 to 2007, made the call on Thursday after meeting voters in Gwarinpa alongside other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
He said the outreach was aimed at engaging voters on the significance of the February 21 council elections and the need to support ADC candidates across the six area councils of the FCT.
According to Atiku, the election will serve as a measure of the preparedness of electoral authorities to conduct free, fair and credible polls, as well as a reflection of the electorate’s readiness to demand political change.
He called on voters to turn out in large numbers and resist any form of intimidation at the polls, stressing that the ADC had fielded candidates with the competence, capacity and character to provide effective grassroots leadership in Abuja’s local councils.
The former vice-president criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of failing to address economic challenges, improve education and guarantee security.
Atiku argued that the FCT council elections present an opportunity for citizens to begin what he described as a broader political shift, urging them to “start with the FCT elections” by voting out the APC.
