2027: No Court Can Stop Me, I Will Be on Ballot — Atiku Dares Tinubu, Blasts Court Ruling

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no court judgment will knock him out of the 2027 presidential race, vowing to stay on the ballot despite Thursday’s Federal High Court ruling that sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified his candidacy.

In a personally signed statement on Friday, Atiku told supporters he is not backing down.

“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.

The Abuja court had on Thursday voided the Mark-led National Working Committee and all decisions taken under it, including Atiku’s emergence as ADC presidential candidate for 2027.

But Atiku said the ruling cannot erase the will of Nigerians.

“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.

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising state institutions — from alleged manipulation of the voters’ register to political pressure and courtroom plots — to cripple the opposition.

Atiku questioned why a party boasting of 32 governors and bragging about luring opposition figures would still fear a free contest.

“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.

The ADC flagbearer also launched a scathing attack on the Tinubu administration, blaming fuel subsidy removal, naira depreciation, soaring food prices, mass business closures and escalating insecurity for plunging millions into hardship.

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

Doubling down, Atiku vowed to resist any plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and challenged President Bola Tinubu to face Nigerians at the polls.

“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.

In a direct jab 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.”