SOKOTO — Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to remain in the 2027 presidential race, dismissing a recent Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the party’s leadership and its presidential primary.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday in Sokoto, Atiku insisted that no court ruling, political pressure, or intimidation would force him to withdraw from the contest.
“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.
The declaration follows Thursday’s ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the David Mark-led ADC caretaker committee and invalidated party decisions made since July 2025 following a suit by a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. Both the party leadership and Atiku have rejected the verdict and announced plans to challenge it at the appellate court.
Allegations of political maneuvering and one-party state risks
Atiku characterized the judicial setback as part of a coordinated effort by those in power to weaken opposition parties and obstruct fair political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
He accused political rivals of deploying courtroom maneuvers, pressure tactics, and attempts to compromise the national voters’ register through fictitious identities and AI-generated photographs, warning that such actions threaten to push Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state.
“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,” Atiku said.
Critique of government policies
Shifting focus to governance, the opposition candidate criticized the federal administration over mounting economic hardships, highlighting skyrocketing fuel prices, currency depreciation, soaring food costs, widespread business closures, and persistent security challenges like banditry and kidnapping.
Urging his supporters to remain steadfast, Atiku called on opposition forces to safeguard democratic plurality and ensure citizens can hold leaders accountable at the ballot box.
“Your vote is your power, and together, we will take our country back,” he said. “If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair, and credible contest.”
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