Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that he remains in the 2027 presidential race despite Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment affecting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his emergence a the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, Atiku declared that no court ruling would make him abandon the race.
“Let no one mistake the court ruling for the will of Nigerian people. No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future”, he said.
He accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government of using political pressure and legal manoeuvres to weaken opposition parties and push Nigeria towards a one-party state.
He alleged that those in power were attempting to compromise the voters’ register through “AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities”.
Atiku said such actions were aimed at making genuine political competition difficult and pushing Nigeria towards a one-party state.
He also challenged the ruling party to defend its record before voters rather than rely on its political strength.
“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”, he said.
Atiku also criticised the administration over rising food prices, fuel costs, depreciation of the naira, worsening insecurity and the growing hardship faced by citizens, arguing that the government had failed to ease the hardship facing Nigerians
He maintain that Nigerians, not the courts, should ultimately decide who leads the country through a free, fair and credible election.
Atiku urged his supporters not to lose hope, insisting that he would not withdraw from the presidential contest despite the legal challenge.
“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 said.
“No threats, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or cause we share”
Atiku vowed that the opposition would resist attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and called on the ruling party to face its opponents in a free, fair and credible election.
“If those in power believe in their numbers and record, let us meet at the polls in free, fair and credible contest”, Atiku said.
“Let me say plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box”, he said.
Atiku’s statement followed Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja in a suit instituted by a rival faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala-Gombe.
The ruling affected the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and its preparations for the 2027 elections, including the joint presidential ticket involving Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.
-9News Nigeria.
