I can’t be frustrated out of 2027 race, says Atiku

File: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to remain in the 2027 race, declaring that no court ruling or political manoeuvre would force him to withdraw from the contest.

Atiku made the declaration in a statement issued on Friday in Sokoto, titled, “Bola Cannot Use the Courts to Escape the People’s Verdict; We Are on the Ballot.”

The former vice-president insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders through a credible electoral process, stressing that no court ruling or political manoeuvre should undermine the people’s right to determine the country’s future.

He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using political pressure and court manoeuvres to weaken opposition parties to pave the way for a one-party state.

Reacting to the Thursday court ruling which nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and its decisions, Atiku said no judicial decision or political manoeuvre could override the will of Nigerians or deny them the opportunity to choose their preferred leaders.

“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. No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he said.

Atiku accused the ruling party of deploying various tactics to weaken the opposition, including political intimidation, manufactured narratives, and alleged attempts to compromise the voters’ register with artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names, and fictitious identities.

He questioned why a government that claimed to have the backing of 32 governors and had attracted politicians from other parties would be afraid of a free and fair election.

According to him, the alleged actions were aimed at frustrating genuine political competition and pushing the country towards a one-party system.

The former vice-president also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, blaming them for worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate measures to protect citizens, the depreciation of the naira, rising food and fuel prices, and the closure of factories and small businesses as evidence of the government’s poor performance.

Atiku expressed concern over the security situation in the country, saying bandits and kidnappers continued to hold communities hostage while young Nigerians were leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope or surrender their democratic rights, stressing that their votes remained the instrument for determining the country’s future.

“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 challenged the ruling party to test its popularity at the polls, saying those confident in their performance should embrace a free, fair, and credible election.

He added that his campaign would continue to focus on the rising cost of living and the need to make life affordable for Nigerians.

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