President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that he remains in the 2027 presidential race, declaring that President Bola Tinubu cannot use court decisions to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the declaration in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Sokoto.
He said the recent court ruling affecting the opposition should not be mistaken for the will of Nigerians or interpreted as an end to his presidential ambition.
According to him, neither legal manoeuvres, political pressure nor alleged manipulation would force him out of the contest.
“Let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the Nigerian people. 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,” he declared.
Atiku also accused the ruling establishment of deploying political pressure, manufactured narratives and courtroom manoeuvres to weaken opposition parties and undermine democratic competition.
He questioned why a government that claims to enjoy the support of 32 governors and attract politicians from opposition parties would be afraid of a competitive election.
The former Vice President challenged the Tinubu administration to defend its performance before Nigerians rather than allegedly pursuing strategies that could weaken opposition parties and turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
He also raised concerns about the integrity of the voters’ register, alleging attempts to compromise the electoral process through artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.
Atiku further criticised the Tinubu administration over worsening economic hardship, blaming its handling of fuel subsidy removal, naira depreciation and rising food prices for the increasing cost of living.
He argued that the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate protective measures had imposed severe economic consequences on ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, rising production costs and economic difficulties have forced factories and small businesses to shut down, leaving many families struggling to afford basic necessities.
He also expressed concern over youth migration, persistent insecurity, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
“Look around you. Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your family has become a daily struggle. Fuel prices keep rising, and silent pain fills homes across the country,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate urged Nigerians not to surrender their democratic rights, insisting that their votes remained the strongest instrument for determining the country’s political future.
“Do not lose heart. Do not retreat. Your vote is your power, and together, we will take our country back,” he told supporters.
Atiku also dismissed suggestions that the political and legal challenges confronting the opposition could force him to abandon the presidential contest.
“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,” he declared.
He vowed to resist any attempt to establish a one-party political system in Nigeria, arguing that democracy must accommodate competing political parties, divergent interests and alternative voices.
Atiku challenged the ruling party to test its popularity through a free, fair and credible election if it was confident in its political strength and achievements.
“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 stated.
He assured supporters that his campaign would continue, maintaining that neither court proceedings nor political pressure would silence his criticism of the administration’s economic policies.
In a direct message to President Tinubu, Atiku insisted that the ultimate decision on Nigeria’s leadership belonged to voters, not political manoeuvres or courtroom battles.
“Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” he added.
