Former Vice President, and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has insisted that his name and party would be on the ballot paper come January 2027 for the presidential election.

This is amid a federal high court ruling which nullified the party’s leadership led by former Senate President, David Mark which conducted the primaries that produced Atiku, a situation the court declared null and void.

Atiku however, in a statement on Friday said “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”.

According to him, “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. Yet, instead of presenting their record to Nigerians, they continue to deploy every tactic available to weaken the opposition: political pressure, manufactured narratives, courtroom manoeuvres and attempts to compromise the voters’ register with 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 number two citizen said for emphasis, “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.

“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. 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 further said, “our campaign will continue. Our message on the cost of living will not be silenced or derailed. Stay calm, united and resolute. Together, we will fight for a Nigeria where life is affordable and every citizen’s vote counts.

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

His party, the ADC has stated that it would appeal the judgement. If it does not get reprieve at the higher courts, it is still unclear how Atiku wants to contest the election if the court ruling stands.

The post Despite court ruling, Atiku insists he’ll contest 2027 presidency appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.