No court can stop me from contesting 2027 presidential election—Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to remain in the 2027 presidential race despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his candidacy on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that no court ruling or political manoeuvre would force him out of the contest.

Atiku, who challenged President Bola Tinubu to face him at the polls, insisted that Nigerians, rather than the courts, should determine who governs the country in 2027.

In a personally signed statement on Friday, the former Vice-President reassured his supporters that he would not abandon the presidential ambition or the political movement built around it.

“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 declared.

His defiance followed Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which invalidated the leadership of the ADC caretaker committee headed by former Senate President David Mark.

The court also nullified decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.

The judgment, delivered in a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, further affected the party’s national officers and candidates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the forthcoming elections.

The ruling has thrown the opposition party’s leadership structure and electoral preparations into uncertainty, particularly as Atiku had already emerged as its presidential candidate and selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

However, Atiku maintained that the court decision would neither erase his political standing nor deny Nigerians the opportunity to choose their preferred leader.

“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 accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state institutions to undermine opposition parties and frustrate genuine political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.

He alleged that attempts to weaken the opposition extended from the manipulation of the voters’ register to political pressure and what he described as courtroom manoeuvres.

Questioning why the APC, which he said controlled 32 states and had continued to boast about attracting opposition politicians into its fold, would be apprehensive about a competitive election, Atiku said the development suggested a desire to undermine multiparty democracy.

“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 alleged.

Atiku also used the opportunity to condemn the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy and security, blaming the removal of petrol subsidy, depreciation of the naira, rising food prices, business closures and worsening insecurity for the hardship confronting Nigerians.

He urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the court ruling, insisting that their votes remained the most effective instrument for political change.

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

Reaffirming his opposition to what he described as efforts to establish a one-party state, Atiku challenged Tinubu and the APC to test their popularity in a free, fair and credible election.

“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.

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