By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Former Vice-President has declared that he rem ains in the 2027 presidential race, insisting that no court ruling can remove him from the ballot.
Atiku, in a statement released on Friday, said Nigerians must be allowed to determine their future through a free, fair and credible electoral contest.
He maintained that attempts to use the courts to prevent opposition candidates from participating in the election would not succeed.
“Fellow Nigerians, let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the 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. We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide,” he said.
The former vice-president accused those in power of deploying political pressure, manufactured narratives and courtroom manoeuvres, as well as allegedly attempting to compromise the voters’ register through AI-generated photographs and fictitious identities.
He argued that such actions were aimed at weakening genuine political competition and pushing the country towards a one-party state.
Atiku also criticised the administration’s economic policies, citing the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate cushioning measures, the sharp depreciation of the naira, rising food and fuel prices, closure of factories and small businesses, and persistent insecurity.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, united and resolute, assuring them that his campaign against the rising cost of living and other national challenges would continue.
“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 vowed to resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, challenging the ruling establishment to test its popularity at the polls.
“We will resist with all our strength every attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. 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 added.
He further declared: “Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”
