Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday raised the alarm over an alleged plot to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general election, warning that any attempt to exclude the ADC from the ballot would amount to an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had received what he described as credible information indicating that fresh political and legal moves were being orchestrated by elements within the ruling establishment to keep the ADC out of the 2027 race.
“We are fully aware of these alleged plots. While efforts are being made to create confusion within the opposition, the ultimate target is the ADC because it has emerged as the strongest alternative in the political landscape,” Atiku said.
He warned that democracy should not be manipulated to determine which opposition parties are allowed to contest elections, insisting that Nigerians alone have the constitutional right to decide who governs them.
“Our message to those behind these alleged plans is clear: democracy belongs to the people. If the APC is confident in its popularity, it should have nothing to fear from a free and fair contest,” he stated.
The former Vice President alleged that democratic institutions were increasingly coming under political pressure, claiming that legal processes, administrative actions and other state mechanisms were being deployed to weaken the opposition.
“The pattern has become familiar. Institutions expected to remain neutral are drawn into partisan contests, litigation gains unusual momentum, administrative powers are selectively exercised and political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Ultimately, democracy becomes the casualty,” he said.
Atiku further claimed that the ADC had faced sustained pressure in recent months through alleged attempts to instigate internal crises, legal battles and administrative actions aimed at weakening the party, instead of allowing it to compete freely.
He argued that the government’s attention should be on tackling inflation, unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of living rather than engaging in political manoeuvres.
“The appropriate response to a popular political movement is to present better ideas before the electorate. Democracies are decided at the ballot box, not through political engineering or the misuse of state institutions,” he added.
Atiku also urged the judiciary to remain independent and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations and the international community to remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We are placing Nigerians on notice because democracy thrives only when citizens remain vigilant. Every Nigerian who believes in constitutional democracy must pay close attention to unfolding events,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Atiku declared that no amount of intimidation or political pressure would stop Nigerians from demanding change.
“The desire for change cannot be outlawed. Hope cannot be deregistered. Democracy cannot be subverted through administrative actions. Ultimately, the will of the Nigerian people will prevail,” he said.
