Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the growing despair among Nigerian youths regarding the future of the country.
In a statement shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Atiku revealed that he recently met with a delegation of young Nigerians from across the 19 Northern states, led by Alhaji Adamu Bappa Gombe, who visited him to express their frustrations about the state of the nation.
According to Atiku, the youths lamented the effects of bad governance, fraudulent electoral practices, and economic hardship on their livelihoods and businesses, as well as the disillusionment stemming from the perception that votes do not count.
The former Vice President said he was saddened by their concerns but encouraged them not to lose faith in Nigeria’s democratic process. He stressed that genuine change could only be achieved through the ballot box, urging the youths to remain active participants in the nation’s political and electoral systems.
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“I reminded them that the change they desire cannot be attained through voter apathy,” Atiku stated. “With only 25% to 30% voter turnout in every election cycle, the figures are not encouraging. I challenged them to make a huge difference by influencing massive participation in 2027.”
Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to democratic reform, stating that he and his allies would continue working tirelessly to “recover Nigeria from anti-democratic forces.”
He emphasized that despite widespread frustration, the future of the nation rests in the hands of young people, whose political engagement and participation remain vital to building a more accountable and prosperous country.