ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling establishment of orchestrating a coordinated political and legal campaign to prevent his party from contesting the 2027 general election.
In a strongly worded statement issued through his communications chief, Phrank Shaibu, on Monday, Mr. Abubakar claimed he had received credible intelligence indicating an “onslaught by anti-democratic elements” to deregister or exclude the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from next year’s ballot.
“We know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative,” Mr. Abubakar said, challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to a fair contest. “If the ruling party is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the opposition?”
‘Assault on democracy’
The veteran politician—who is widely expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election cycle—warned that state institutions meant to remain neutral were being drawn into partisan battles.
He highlighted a familiar pattern of political pressure, including an influx of “frivolous litigations” gaining unusual momentum in the courts and the selective deployment of administrative powers to stifle opposition voices.
Mr. Abubakar warned that any attempt to legally or administratively block the party would represent one of the gravest assaults on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy since the country transitioned from military to civil rule in 1999.
“The ballot is sacred, and every attempt to tamper with it is an attack on the Republic itself,” he declared. “The desire for change cannot be outlawed. Hope cannot be deregistered.”
Focus on governance
The opposition leader further accused the government of being consumed by its own political survival at the expense of pressing national crises.
“At a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and collapsing purchasing power, those entrusted with public office appear preoccupied with political survival rather than national survival,” the statement read.
Mr. Abubakar called on the judiciary to resist external political pressure and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the international diplomatic community to closely monitor the pre-election environment.
Neither the presidency nor the ruling APC has yet responded to the allegations. The claims emerge amid rising political tensions, as INEC and major political parties continue to lock horns over digital candidate registration codes and electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.
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