Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there are ongoing efforts to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku claimed to have received credible intelligence indicating that political and legal strategies were being deployed to sideline the ADC from the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president alleged that elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were behind the alleged moves aimed at weakening the opposition.
According to him, the ADC has become the major target because it now represents the most viable alternative to the ruling party.
“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative,” Atiku said.
He called on Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to resist any attempt to determine which political parties should be allowed to contest elections.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians—not just ADC members and supporters—to rise in defence of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election,” he said.
The former vice president questioned why the APC would allegedly seek to frustrate the ADC if it was confident of its popularity among Nigerians.
He also expressed concern that recent political developments suggest a pattern in which public institutions that should remain impartial are allegedly drawn into partisan battles through litigation, administrative actions and political pressure.
Atiku further accused the ruling party of concentrating on weakening opposition parties instead of addressing the country’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
He said Nigerians are grappling with rising inflation, hunger, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power, while those in government appear more concerned about political survival than governance.
According to him, the growing acceptance of the ADC should be challenged through democratic competition rather than what he described as intimidation and the misuse of state institutions.
“The proper response to a popular political movement is not suppression. It is to present superior ideas before the electorate,” he said.
He maintained that elections should be decided by voters at the ballot box and not through court actions or administrative decisions capable of undermining the democratic process.
Atiku warned that any move to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 elections would amount to an attack on constitutional democracy, insisting that no government has the authority to determine the political choices available to Nigerians.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, security agencies, civil society organisations and members of the international community to remain vigilant and ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is protected.
“The desire for change cannot be outlawed. Hope cannot be deregistered. Democracy cannot be subverted by administrative fiat. The will of the Nigerian people will prevail over every conspiracy,” he said.
