The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will provide a physically present and responsive presidency if elected in the 2027 presidential election.

A statement issued on Monday by Kola Ologbondiyan, the spokesperson for the party’s PCC, disclosed this while receiving the leadership of the Atiku Unity Movement (AUM), led by its leader, Francis Eburuwe.

He stated that Mr Abubakar would not be an “absentee president” who is unavailable when the challenges confronting Nigerians require presidential attention.

Mr Ologbondiyan said the party’s presidential candidate had consistently demonstrated an understanding of Nigeria’s economic and social challenges and had proposed policy interventions aimed at addressing them.

He also recalled that during the 2023 presidential campaign, Mr Abubakar advocated a phased withdrawal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the process should not impose excessive pressure on Nigerians.

According to him, the experience of the past three years has reinforced the need for a presidency that is accessible, responsive and capable of taking timely decisions in the national interest.

“The country needs a president who understands the challenges confronting Nigerians and is physically available to respond to the demands of governance.

“Nigeria cannot afford a situation in which there is uncertainty over who is effectively directing the affairs of government at critical moments. The country requires firm and focused leadership,” he said.

The spokesperson stressed that Mr Abubakar’s commitment to governance would be anchored on confronting the nation’s economic difficulties, improving the welfare of citizens and restoring confidence in public institutions.

He also said the ADC presidential candidate’s recent economic proposals were focused on reducing the burden of rising energy and living costs.

He further explained that Mr Abubakar had publicly proposed a production-based intervention for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, with a fixed spending limit, National Assembly approval and independent audits.

The leader of the Atiku Unity Movement (AUM) delegation, Mr Eburuwe, said the group was fully committed to the Abubakar project and determined to mobilise Nigerians around what he described as the need for a change in the country’s political direction.

Mr Eburuwe said the movement would take the message of Mr Abubakar’s candidacy to Nigerians across the country, expressing confidence that an Abubakar administration would address the challenges facing the nation and improve the welfare of citizens.