2027: Group Endorses Atiku, Pledges To Mobilise Voters

A socio-political group, The Reformers, has endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The group, comprising professionals, academics and middle-class entrepreneurs, said it was formed to help address the hardship facing Nigerians and promote changes in the country’s governance.

Coordinated by a former ADC chairman in Lagos State, Dr Kayode Jacobs, the group also has among its members Hon. Adewunmi Benjamin, Chief Lateef Olorunoje, Dr Dayo Kayode, Dr John Kome, Dr Emilia Ezeude, Chief Christopher Ediale, Hon. Oluwaseyi Sarumi, Hon. Bayo Ogunsola, Hon. Babajide Adisa and Hon. Ronke Ewumi, among others.

The group said its members came together to support Abubakar because of their frustration with what they described as more than two decades of personalised governance in Lagos State and a pattern of compromise and betrayal within opposition politics.

The spokesperson for the group, Hon. Muhammed Emiabata, said The Reformers was more than a political interest group, describing it as a movement of Nigerians determined to take responsibility for the country’s future.

“The Reformers is the coming together of men and women tired of over two decades of personalized governance trajectory in Lagos, where one hand directs governance and the same hand secretly controls the opposition to the extent that our opposition politics has been bedeviled with compromise, betrayals, sellouts and backstabbing. We want to change that narrative,” Emiabata said.

He explained that although the movement initially focused on Lagos State, it had expanded its reach nationally after embracing what it described as Abubakar’s programmes for the masses, particularly in education, youth employment and subsidy reform.

“The original focus of the movement is Lagos, but we have come to terms with the masses-oriented programs of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, especially the ones relating to education, youth employment and subsidy reform. His blueprint directly addresses the ‘Jagba’, area boys snatch-it syndrome that has afflicted our youths in almost every Lagos home, and disrupted our socio-economic life,” he said.

Emiabata said the group’s endorsement of Abubakar and the ADC was total, adding that it would mobilise voters across Lagos State and beyond ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said The Reformers planned to promote principled opposition politics, encourage professionals and middle-class Nigerians to participate in politics, and address youth unemployment and thuggery through skills development and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The spokesperson called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to join the movement, saying a new Nigeria was possible through reorientation and renewed patriotism.