By Julius Peter, Abuja

The National Chairperson of the ADC Women Empowerment Alliance Initiative (AWEAI), Hon. Amb. Dr. Bel C. Sams-Ciril, has called on Nigerians to demand a change of government in the 2027 general elections, saying the country urgently needs a new political direction capable of addressing the economic and social challenges confronting citizens.

Sams-Ciril made the call while speaking at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) All Support Group Forum Town Hall, where she urged Nigerians to support the presidential aspiration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to her, Nigerians have endured significant hardship under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that citizens should use the power of their votes to determine the direction of the country in 2027.

She said Nigeria needs a leadership that would place the welfare of citizens at the centre of government policies and implement measures capable of reducing the economic burden on households and businesses.

“We need a better Nigeria now. Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of APC and Tinubu,” she said, while calling on citizens to come out en masse and participate in the 2027 elections.

The ADC women leader expressed confidence in the ability of Atiku Abubakar and the ADC to provide what she described as a credible alternative to the present political establishment.

She said the party was prepared to introduce policies aimed at making life easier for Nigerians, creating economic opportunities and addressing some of the difficulties associated with the rising cost of living.

Sams-Ciril specifically cited petroleum subsidy as one of the policy areas she said an Atiku-led administration would revisit.

She stated that Atiku would return subsidy, among other measures, as part of efforts to reduce the impact of fuel costs on Nigerians.

She also advocated the opening of Nigeria’s borders, alongside other economic measures, which she said would contribute to making goods and economic opportunities more accessible to citizens.

According to her, the proposed policies were intended to provide relief to ordinary Nigerians and stimulate economic activities across the country.

She urged Nigerians, especially women and young people, to become actively involved in the political process ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that women constitute a significant component of the Nigerian electorate and therefore have an important role to play in determining the country’s political future.

Sams-Ciril called on members and supporters of the ADC to intensify grassroots mobilisation and engage voters with the party’s programmes and policy proposals.

She stressed the need for Nigerians to look beyond political sentiments and carefully consider the policies, programmes and leadership capacity of candidates before casting their votes in 2027.

The AWEAI national chairperson further appealed for unity among Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or regional differences, saying the challenges confronting the country require collective action.

She said the ADC’s support groups would continue to mobilise Nigerians across communities and constituencies in preparation for the 2027 elections.

The town hall meeting also provided an opportunity for ADC supporters and members of various support groups to discuss the party’s political agenda and strategies for reaching voters at the grassroots.

Sams-Ciril said the ultimate objective of the movement was to contribute to the emergence of a government that would prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, strengthen the economy and create an environment where citizens could live and prosper with dignity.

She urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the democratic process, stressing that elections provide citizens with the opportunity to determine who governs them.

She also called for peaceful and credible participation in the 2027 elections, urging voters to protect their votes and ensure that their choices are reflected in the outcome of the electoral process.

The ADC women leader maintained that the 2027 election should be viewed as an opportunity for Nigerians to decide the kind of country they want for themselves and future generations.

She expressed optimism that with unity, effective grassroots mobilisation and active participation, Nigerians could achieve what she described as a better political and economic future.

The meeting ended with renewed calls for support for the Atiku Abubakar-led political project under the ADC, with the slogan: “Atiku/Amaechi 2027: Together We Can Build a Better Nigeria.”

Her comments add to the growing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition groups and political support organisations intensify their campaigns and seek to present alternatives to the electorate.