Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his determination to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing concerns that a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, headed by Senator David Mark, would affect his political ambition.
Atiku, who emerged as the ADC presidential candidate, called on his supporters to remain resolute, maintaining that neither judicial decisions nor political intimidation would force him out of the presidential contest.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the Mark-led leadership of the party and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.
Reacting to the development in a statement personally signed on Friday, the former vice-president insisted that his presidential ambition remained intact and expressed confidence that he would participate in the 2027 election.
“I am in this race. I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot. No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he said.
Atiku maintained that the court’s decision did not represent the aspirations of Nigerians, arguing that no political arrangement or legal intervention should deprive citizens of their constitutional right to elect their preferred leaders.
“No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future. We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide,” he added.
The former vice-president also appeared to take aim at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning why a party that claims to command the support of 32 state governors would be troubled by opposition activities.
He accused the ruling party of resorting to political intimidation, misinformation and judicial processes to weaken opposition parties instead of defending its performance before the electorate.
Atiku further expressed concern over alleged efforts to manipulate the voters’ register through the insertion of AI-generated photographs, fabricated names and non-existent identities.
He warned that such alleged practices could compromise the credibility of the electoral process, weaken democratic competition and ultimately pave the way for a one-party political system in Nigeria.
Turning to the country’s economic and security challenges, Atiku criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over petrol subsidy removal, the continued depreciation of the naira, escalating food costs and worsening insecurity across the country.
According to him, the prevailing economic conditions have placed considerable pressure on households and businesses, while the growing number of young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad reflects the difficulties confronting the country.
He urged his supporters to remain optimistic and politically engaged, stressing that their votes remained a powerful instrument for determining Nigeria’s future leadership.
“We will resist with all our strength every attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Nigeria belongs to all its people. Our democracy must remain open to more than one party and more than one voice,” he said.
Atiku also challenged the APC to test its popularity through a transparent electoral process, insisting that the opposition must be given a fair opportunity to compete and that the electorate’s decision must be respected.
Concluding his remarks, the former vice-president accused the ruling party of attempting to avoid electoral accountability through the courts, insisting that only Nigerians should determine who leads the country.
“Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” Atiku stated.
