ATIKU PROMISES AFFORDABLE LIVING, URGES NIGERIANS TO COLLECT PVCS

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to make life affordable for Nigerians if elected president in 2027, while urging citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the foundation of democratic change.

The Atiku affordable living PVCs message came during his State of the Nation address on the occasion of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, where he sharply criticised the Tinubu administration’s claim that the country had entered an era of prosperity.

THE PROMISE

Atiku said his administration would prioritise affordability and the protection of lives as central components of governance.

He said his administration would work to reduce the cost of food, fuel and electricity while improving access to healthcare and education.

“Your vote must count as you cast it,” Atiku said, pledging to respect electoral independence and support prompt publication of polling-unit results. He also promised legal consequences for vote-buying and result manipulation.

He urged Nigerians to protect their votes, reject intimidation and carefully question every candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

THE CRITICISM OF TINUBU’S PROSPERITY CLAIM

Atiku directly challenged President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria had entered an age of prosperity, pointing to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. “Easing inflation does not restore what families have lost,” he said, citing rising prices for basic necessities .

Comparing wages and fuel costs, he said a ₦70,000 minimum wage buys 50 litres of petrol, against 118 litres for ₦30,000 in April 2023. He also cited increases in egg and bread prices as evidence of the declining purchasing power of Nigerian households.

THE PRODUCTION SUBSIDY PROPOSAL

Atiku reiterated his proposal for “a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria only,” excluding imported petrol.

He said costs would be published, payments independently audited and government waste cut, with benefits passed to consumers through lower pump prices.

He said it would support refining and create jobs. “We will publish the costs, independently audit the payments and cut government waste to help fund the programme,” Atiku said.

He said the principle behind the proposal was to produce and refine locally, create jobs and reduce the cost of petroleum products.

THE ELECTORAL REFORM PLEDGE

Atiku promised to end election rigging and strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if elected President.

He said his administration would work with his running mate and ADC partners to pursue policies aimed at making life affordable. He said Nigerians deserved access to affordable food, healthcare, education, transportation and other necessities required for dignified living.

He said his administration would focus on creating productive employment and sustainable opportunities for the youth capable of enabling them to build better lives.

THE CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Atiku called for the publication of loan and contract records, criticised overlapping budgets and unpaid contractors, and said progress should be measured by affordability and safety.

He further challenged government claims on cash transfers, asking how 10 million recipients of ₦75,000 were identified and paid.

“If you could find 10 million people to pay, you can account for the payments,” he said.

He said budgets should serve as timetables for delivery, clearly showing funded projects, completed programmes and outstanding obligations.

THE PVC MESSAGE

Atiku’s call for Nigerians to collect their PVCs is a practical appeal with political implications. Without PVCs, Nigerians cannot vote.

Without votes, no electoral change is possible.

His message reflects the opposition’s recognition that the 2027 election will be determined not only by campaign rhetoric but by the machinery of voter mobilisation.

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WHY IT MATTERS

Atiku’s address sets out the ADC’s economic and political agenda in clear terms: affordable living, production subsidy, electoral reform, and accountability.

The challenge is implementation.

Atiku’s production subsidy proposal faces the same questions the Presidency has raised: if the Federal Government does not own all the crude oil it produces, how does it subsidise production without purchasing crude at global market prices and absorbing the difference?

Where does the funding come from?

Atiku has promised to publish costs and audit payments. He has not yet published the fiscal details of the plan.

For Nigerians, the choice between the ADC’s promises and the APC’s record will be decided at the ballot box. The first step, as Atiku says, is to collect your PVC.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Atiku has promised affordable living and urged Nigerians to collect their PVCs. The 2027 election is scheduled for January and February 2027.