Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to remain in the 2027 presidential race, insisting that no court judgment, political pressure or intimidation will force him to withdraw from the contest.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the declaration in a statement issued on Friday in Sokoto, following a Federal High Court judgment that affected the party’s leadership and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Nigerians, rather than political manoeuvres, should determine who leads the country through a free, fair and credible election.

“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,” he declared.

The former Vice-President described the court judgment as part of what he alleged was an attempt to weaken opposition parties and restrict political competition ahead of the elections.

He accused those in power of using political pressure and courtroom manoeuvres to frustrate opposition parties instead of allowing Nigerians to assess their records at the polls.

Atiku also raised concerns over alleged attempts to compromise the voters’ register through artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.

He warned that such practices, if established, could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

“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,” he said.

Atiku also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, citing rising fuel prices, the depreciation of the naira, increasing food costs and business closures.

He expressed concern over persistent insecurity, including banditry and kidnapping, arguing that many Nigerians were struggling to meet their daily needs.

According to him, government policies have worsened living conditions, while more young Nigerians are leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

The ADC presidential candidate urged his supporters not to lose hope or surrender their democratic rights, describing their votes as the most important instrument for determining political leadership.

“Your vote is your power, and together, we will take our country back,” he said.

He also called on opposition parties to resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, insisting that the country’s democracy must accommodate competing political voices.

“We will resist with all our strength every attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Nigeria belongs to all its people,” Atiku stated.

He challenged the ruling party to face opposition candidates in a credible election if it was confident in its popularity and performance.

“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.

The statement followed Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit instituted by a rival ADC faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The ruling affected the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and its preparations for the 2027 elections, including the proposed presidential ticket involving Atiku and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The ADC leadership and Atiku have rejected the judgment and indicated plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. (The Sun)