No court ruling can stop me from 2027 ballot — Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to remain in the 2027 presidential race despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and invalidating his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.

Atiku, in a statement he personally signed on Friday, said no court ruling, political threat or intimidation would force him to abandon the contest, urging his supporters to remain steadfast.

“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.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday nullified the Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken under it, including Atiku’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.

Reacting to the judgment, Atiku alleged that the ruling did not reflect the will of Nigerians, insisting that the electorate must be allowed to determine the country’s political future through a credible election.

“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 said.

The former vice-president also accused the ruling party of deploying political pressure, alleged manipulation of the voters’ register and courtroom manoeuvres to weaken opposition parties.

He questioned why a party boasting of having 32 governors and claiming to have attracted opposition leaders through political pressure would be afraid of a free and fair contest.

Atiku alleged that attempts to undermine opposition parties were part of a broader plan to push Nigeria towards a one-party state.

“These are not the actions of people confident in their record. They are calculated attempts to make genuine competition impossible and push Nigeria towards a one-party state,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices, business closures and worsening insecurity.

He said the economic challenges had left millions of Nigerians struggling to feed their families, while banditry and kidnapping continued to threaten communities.

Atiku urged his supporters not to lose hope, describing their votes as the instrument to reclaim the country.

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“Do not lose heart. Do not retreat. Your vote is your power, and together, we will take our country back,” he said.

He further vowed to resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, insisting that the country’s democracy must accommodate multiple political parties and competing voices.

“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 also took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, saying the courts could not shield him from the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.

“Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” he added.