The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a citizen-engagement platform that lets Nigerians question him about his political record, policy proposals, and plans for the country.
The platform, tagged Ask AA, is scheduled to go live at 8:30 pm on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
According to the statement, the portal will allow Nigerians to submit questions on issues including the economy, security, technology, job creation and measures to make life more affordable.
The statement said Atiku would personally respond to questions submitted through the platform, while members of his media team would also assist in providing answers.
It added that the initiative was designed to bridge the information gap between voters and the former Vice-President by providing a direct channel for citizens to seek information about his positions and policy proposals.
Shaibu said the platform was aimed at bringing Atiku closer to Nigerians through direct engagement.
“The objective of this initiative is to bring Atiku Abubakar closer to the electorate through a practical, problem-solving platform,” he said.
He added that the initiative reflected Atiku’s commitment to using modern technology to make governance more efficient, secure and effective.
The campaign council also said it planned to introduce a radio interface to enable communities without internet access to participate in the initiative.
In a message announcing the platform on his social media accounts, Atiku said he conceived the idea because he believed that leadership should involve direct communication between elected leaders and the people.
“For too long, governance has felt distant—locked behind walls of bureaucracy. But our country’s greatest resource isn’t oil or land; it is our people. If we are going to build the Nigeria of our dreams, we must start by tearing down the walls between leaders and the people,” he said.
Atiku described Ask AA as a platform for transparency, accountability and dialogue, adding that Nigerians would be free to question his economic record, examine his policy plans and offer suggestions on national development.
“No filters, no intermediaries,” he said.
He further disclosed that he would personally call selected participants who provide their contact details on the platform to hear about their experiences and the challenges affecting their daily lives.
“Beyond answering questions here, I will personally call selected citizens who leave their contact details so I can hear directly about their experiences and the issues affecting their daily lives,” he said.
Atiku, who served as Vice-President from 1999 to 2007, has sought the Nigerian presidency several times.
He urged Nigerians to participate in the initiative by submitting questions and recommendations, saying a technology-driven and transparent government should begin with how leaders listen to citizens.