2027: Atiku Defies Court Ruling, Vows to Remain in Presidential Race

2027: Atiku Defies Court Ruling, Vows to Remain in Presidential Race

 

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to press ahead with his 2027 presidential ambition despite the Federal High Court ruling that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that neither legal manoeuvres nor political pressure would stop him from appearing on the ballot.

 

Atiku, in a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, dismissed the judgment affecting the party’s leadership and his presidential nomination, insisting that the court decision should not be interpreted as the position of Nigerians on who should contest the next presidential election.

 

“Let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the Nigerian people. No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future,” he said.

 

“We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide.”

 

The former vice-president accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deploying political pressure, judicial manoeuvres and other tactics to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

He also raised concerns over alleged attempts to manipulate the voters’ register with what he described as “AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities”, warning that such practices could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

 

Atiku argued that the developments pointed to an attempt to weaken opposition politics and steer the country towards a one-party state.

 

He challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate confidence in its electoral strength by allowing a free and fair contest rather than relying on political influence to undermine its opponents.

 

“Those who boast of having thirty-two governors and claim to have bought, pressured or coerced leaders from other parties into their fold should have no reason to fear a free and fair contest,” he said.

 

Assessing the Tinubu administration’s performance, Atiku criticised the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices and worsening insecurity, accusing the government of failing to alleviate the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.

 

He said businesses were shutting down, young Nigerians were leaving the country in search of better opportunities, while banditry and kidnapping continued to threaten lives and livelihoods across the country.

 

“Look around you. Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your family has become a daily struggle. Fuel prices keep rising, and silent pain fills homes across the country,” he said.

 

Despite the legal challenge confronting the ADC, Atiku urged his supporters not to lose hope, declaring that he had no intention of abandoning the presidential race.

 

“Let me be clear to every Nigerian who has stood with us: I am in this race. I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot,” he declared.

 

“No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share.”

 

He further vowed that the opposition would resist any attempt to impose a one-party political system on the country, insisting that the APC should be prepared to test its popularity at the polls.

 

“If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair and credible contest,” he said.

 

Atiku maintained that his political campaign would remain focused on the worsening cost of living and the need to restore economic opportunities and make life more affordable for Nigerians.

 

In a final swipe at the President, he declared: “Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”