Group Mobilises For Atiku, Other ADC Candidates

A group, I Want Atiku As President National Movement (IWAP), has unveiled its national structure and roadmap to victory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group declared its readiness to mobilise grassroots support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other candidates of the party.

The movement made the declaration yesterday at the national unveiling ceremony held at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja, with the theme “Unveiling the Road Map to Victory: A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Democratic Governance.”

The national president of IWAP, Amb. Oguh Hyginus John, said the movement was established to provide strategic grassroots mobilisation and support for Atiku’s presidential ambition, while promoting what he described as good governance, competent leadership and a new direction for Nigeria.

John said IWAP had established structures across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), extending to the ward level.

He said the unveiling was aimed at formally introducing the movement to Nigerians and demonstrating its preparedness to commence an organised campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the movement’s national operational action plan, tagged the “Road Map to Victory,” would guide its activities from August 2026 through the election period and beyond.

He said the roadmap contained day-to-day, weekly and monthly activities designed to ensure that no state, ward or polling unit was left behind in the movement’s mobilisation efforts.

John expressed concern about the state of the Nigerian economy, insecurity, education, and healthcare, saying these sectors required urgent reforms.

He said the country needed experienced, visionary and inclusive leadership capable of restoring confidence and creating opportunities for Nigerians.

“We are here to ensure good governance and good leadership in the country so that Nigeria can begin to receive fresh air,” he said.

The IWAP president said the movement would adopt an issue-based campaign focused on presenting solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than engaging in insults or propaganda.

He also pledged the group’s commitment to youth and women inclusion, electoral integrity and peaceful mobilisation.

John disclosed that IWAP was targeting 20 million votes as part of its mobilisation strategy for Atiku and other ADC candidates nationwide.

He said the movement would support ADC candidates at the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly levels, stressing that every electoral seat was important to the party’s overall success.

He further urged state coordinators, zonal leaders and members of the movement to take the message of Atiku and the ADC to households, markets, churches, mosques and communities across the country.

He noted that with the expected commencement of the national campaign on 19 August 2026, following the lifting of the campaign ban by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), IWAP was prepared to commence a disciplined and coordinated campaign.

“Our machinery is ready, our troops are marshalled, and our message is clear. We will move seamlessly into a disciplined, issue-based and highly effective national campaign,” he said.

John urged Nigerians to support the movement and vote for candidates capable of providing effective leadership, adding that IWAP was not only preparing for electoral victory but also for responsible governance after the elections.

Similarly, the Deputy National Secretary, South, IWAP, Hon. Prince Henry Nwaigwe, described the unveiling as a significant step towards publicly declaring the movement’s support for Atiku and the ADC.

Nwaigwe, who is also the National Director of Operations at IWAP, said the group was determined to mobilise voters across Nigeria in support of the ADC presidential candidate and other party candidates.

“Today is a great day for us because we are exposing ourselves to the public. We want to make a statement about what we stand for. We want Atiku as President of Nigeria,” he said.

He said the movement wanted the ADC leadership and its candidates at the national, state and local levels to recognise the existence of, and commit to, IWAP’s electoral success.

Nwaigwe expressed confidence in the ADC’s prospects in the 2027 elections, saying the party had established grassroots support and that Nigerians were increasingly demanding better dividends of democracy.

The event was attended by leaders and members of IWAP from across the country, ADC representatives, political stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, civil society representatives and members of the media.

The movement said its operational plan would continue beyond the elections to facilitate post-election consolidation and a smooth transition to governance.