K
KEY POINTS
• Atiku Abubakar alleges there is a coordinated political and legal plot to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections.
• He called on the judiciary, INEC, security agencies, civil society, and Nigerians to protect democracy and ensure free political competition.
• The Presidency, APC, and INEC had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there is a fresh plan by individuals within the ruling establishment to prevent his party from participating in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku warned that any attempt to stop the ADC from contesting the elections would pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic system and deny citizens the constitutional right to freely choose their leaders.
The former Vice President made the allegation in a statement released on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. According to him, he has received what he described as credible information indicating that political and legal strategies are allegedly being coordinated to exclude the ADC from the ballot ahead of the next general election.
He claimed that the alleged plan is part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties and reduce political competition before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
According to Atiku, those behind the alleged plot see the ADC as the strongest alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said attempts to create confusion within the opposition were ultimately aimed at undermining the ADC because of its growing acceptance among Nigerians.
Atiku called on citizens, regardless of their political affiliations, to reject any move that would allow the ruling party to determine which opposition parties should be allowed to participate in elections.
He questioned why the APC would allegedly fear the ADC if it was confident of its popularity among Nigerian voters.
Although he expressed hope that such a plan would not materialise, Atiku argued that recent political events in the country made the allegations difficult to dismiss.
He alleged that there has been a pattern in which institutions expected to remain neutral are drawn into partisan political disputes, while legal actions, administrative measures, and political pressure are allegedly used against opposition figures.
According to him, such developments gradually weaken democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The former Vice President also criticised the Federal Government, accusing it of focusing more on political survival than addressing the country’s pressing economic and security challenges.
He said millions of Nigerians are currently struggling with rising inflation, widespread hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power, while political leaders appear more concerned about suppressing opposition voices.
Atiku maintained that political popularity should be tested through free and fair elections rather than through court cases or administrative actions.
He stressed that democracy is strengthened when political parties compete by presenting better policies and ideas to the electorate instead of seeking to eliminate rivals through institutional means.
According to him, preventing the ADC from contesting the 2027 elections would represent one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
He appealed to the judiciary to remain independent and resist any political pressure that could compromise justice.
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, and the international community to remain vigilant and ensure that the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process is protected.
Atiku emphasised that no government has the constitutional authority to decide which political parties Nigerians are allowed to vote for, insisting that political power ultimately belongs to the people.
Atiku Says Intimidation Will Not Stop
He further declared that intimidation, political engineering, or judicial manipulation would not diminish public support for the ADC, expressing confidence that the desire for change among Nigerians cannot be suppressed.
The statement comes at a time of growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Atiku and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi adopting the ADC as the platform for a coalition expected to challenge the ruling APC.
In recent months, both the APC and opposition parties have exchanged accusations over alleged attempts to weaken rival political platforms through legal battles and internal party disputes.
As of the time this report was filed, neither the Presidency, the APC, nor the Independent National Electoral Commission had issued an official response to Atiku’s allegations.