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.”

ADC Crisis: Dino Melaye Blames ‘Sokoto Tsunami’ for Court Judgment Sacking David Mark, Nullifying Atiku’s Presidential Ticket

ABUJA — Former Kogi West Senator and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has blamed what he described as the political “Sokoto Tsunami” for the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the party’s national leadership under former Senate President David Mark and invalidated the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

Melaye, who spoke on Thursday, November 5, during the ADC presidential campaign in Kebbi State, urged party members and Nigerians to disregard the court judgment, insisting that neither Atiku nor the ADC could be stopped from pursuing their political ambitions.

The development followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the Mark-led caretaker committee of the opposition party illegal and invalidated decisions taken under its authority.

The ruling also affected the process that produced Atiku as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the judgment, Melaye linked the legal setback to the party’s growing political influence in Sokoto State, describing the development as a reaction to what he called the ADC’s political tsunami in the state.

He urged supporters not to be discouraged by the ruling, declaring that the party had overcome similar challenges in the past.

“We want to assure Nigerians and the people of Kebbi that you should please ignore the court ruling in Abuja today; that judgment is a reaction to the political tsunami in Sokoto State. It was the tsunami that necessitated the judgment,” Melaye said.

The former lawmaker also questioned the timing of the court proceedings, alleging that the party received notification of the judgment late at night before it was delivered the following morning.

“There was no judgment notice, they sent by 11pm in the night, the judgment will be given in the morning, but they forgot that we have passed through this road many times,” he added.

Melaye also alleged that the ADC campaign convoy encountered an attack by security operatives while travelling to Kebbi State.

According to him, more than 100 policemen allegedly barricaded the campaign team, throwing stones and firing tear gas at them.

He maintained that those behind the alleged attack underestimated the political and security backgrounds of the party’s national chairman and presidential candidate.

The court judgment followed a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the legality of the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

Gombe argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s departure and asked the court to invalidate the decisions taken by the Mark-led caretaker committee.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s case, declaring the Mark-led caretaker arrangement illegal and nullifying the decisions taken under its authority, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku.

The judgment has thrown the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections into uncertainty, with implications for its national leadership, presidential ticket and other candidates nominated under the disputed arrangement.

The party, however, has rejected the ruling and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the appellate court.

The latest legal setback comes amid growing political tensions within the opposition party, which has attracted prominent political figures seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Melaye’s remarks have added another dimension to the controversy, as the ADC grapples with the legal implications of the judgment and questions surrounding its political future.

The outcome of the anticipated legal challenge could prove decisive for the party’s leadership structure and its ability to participate effectively in the forthcoming general elections.

ADC Crisis: Dino Melaye Blames ‘Sokoto Tsunami’ for Court Judgment Sacking David Mark, Nullifying Atiku’s Presidential Ticket

Aisha Yesufu Fires Warning At INEC After Rufai Oseni Hails Americans For Voting Out Tyranny

Activist Declares War On Electoral Manipulation Ahead Of 2027 General Elections

By Newstrends.ng Political Desk

ABUJA — Nigerian activist and chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has issued a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring that anyone who attempts to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 general elections will face resistance.

Yesufu made the declaration while reacting to a comment by Arise News journalist, Rufai Oseni, who praised American voters for using their votes to reject what he described as tyranny in the recently concluded United States midterm elections.

Oseni, in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, November 4, wrote: “You can see how Americans voted out tyranny. No complain of INEC. INEC do better.”

The journalist’s observation appeared to draw attention to the role of credible electoral institutions and the power of citizens to determine political leadership through the ballot box.

However, his comment prompted a strong response from Yesufu, who redirected the conversation to Nigeria’s electoral system and the growing concerns surrounding the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In her response, the activist challenged INEC to ensure that votes cast by Nigerians are accurately counted and reflected in the final results, warning that the commission must not stand in the way of the people’s mandate.

“Whether INEC like let it do better and if INEC no like, let it not do better!

“This election anyone that stands between what the people voted and what is counted will be counted!

“We are done begging for the right thing to be done.

“We will be doing the right thing!!!” Yesufu declared.

Her choice of words has attracted attention, particularly her warning that anyone who attempts to frustrate the people’s electoral mandate will face resistance.

The NDC chieftain’s reaction also underscores the increasing political significance of the 2027 elections, as opposition figures and civil society advocates continue to demand transparency, accountability and institutional independence in the country’s electoral process.

Nigeria has witnessed persistent controversies over election administration, including allegations of result manipulation, logistical challenges and disputes over the credibility of declared outcomes.

Consequently, the responsibility of INEC to conduct transparent, credible and peaceful elections is expected to remain a major issue as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.

Although Oseni’s original comment celebrated the American electorate’s ability to express its political choices through the ballot, Yesufu’s response raised a broader question about whether Nigerian voters would enjoy the same confidence that their votes would count.

For the activist, the 2027 elections must go beyond the mere conduct of voting exercises. The ultimate test, according to the message of her intervention, is whether the choices made by voters will be faithfully reflected in the final results.

Her declaration adds to the growing debate over electoral credibility and the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of another crucial general election.

Aisha Yesufu Fires Warning At INEC After Rufai Oseni Hails Americans For Voting Out Tyranny