Former vice‑president and ADC presidential hopeful Atiku Abubakar says there’s a new, coordinated move by people in the ruling circle to stop Nigerians freely choosing their next president.
In a statement from his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had “received credible information indicating that renewed efforts may be underway to use political and legal machinations to keep the ADC off the ballot ahead of the 2027 general election.”
“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.”
He warned Nigerians to watch out and called for broad resistance. “We therefore call on all Nigerians—not just ADC members and supporters—to rise in defense 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.
“Our message to the APC and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed. If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?” Atiku queried.
Atiku said recent patterns — neutral institutions pulled into politics, sudden rushes of litigation, selective use of administrative power and closed‑door pressure — make the warnings hard to ignore. “The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests. Then, frivolous litigations suddenly gain unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed. Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”
He urged the judiciary, INEC, security agencies, diplomats and civil society to stay alert and warned that preventing the ADC from contesting would be a grave assault on Nigeria’s democracy. “We are placing Nigerians on notice because democracy flourishes only when citizens refuse to be indifferent. Eternal vigilance remains the price of liberty. Every Nigerian who believes in constitutional rule must pay close attention to unfolding events.”
