Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no court ruling will stop his participation in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that President Bola Tinubu “cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”
In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku assured his supporters that he remained firmly in the race, saying attempts to weaken the opposition would not succeed.
“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.”
The former presidential candidate argued that the latest court decision should not be mistaken for the wishes of 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.”
Atiku alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was using political pressure and legal processes to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
He further accused the government of attempting to compromise the voters’ register through “AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.”
“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.”
The former vice president also criticised the Tinubu administration over the economy, blaming it for worsening hardship across the country.
According to him, the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices and insecurity have placed heavy burdens on Nigerians.
“Our campaign will continue. Our message on the cost of living will not be silenced or derailed.”
He urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and united ahead of the election.
“Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”