Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that he will remain in the 2027 presidential race despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.

Atiku made his position known in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, declaring that the court ruling should not be mistaken for the wishes of Nigerians or interpreted as an end to his political ambition.

“We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide,” he declared.

The former vice-president accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using political pressure, court proceedings and other tactics to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also alleged that attempts were being made to compromise the voters’ register through the inclusion of artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities, warning that such developments could undermine electoral credibility.

Atiku challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to face opposition parties in a free and fair election rather than rely on its political strength, including its control of several state governments.

He further criticised the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidy, depreciation of the naira, rising food prices and worsening insecurity, arguing that the economic situation had continued to place pressure on Nigerian households and businesses.

The former presidential candidate also highlighted business closures, youth migration and persistent cases of banditry and kidnapping, describing them as major challenges confronting the country.

Reassuring his supporters, Atiku declared that he had no intention of withdrawing from the presidential contest, insisting that neither political pressure nor the court controversy would force him to abandon the campaign.

He also vowed to oppose any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, maintaining that Nigerians must retain the freedom to choose their leaders through credible elections.

The declaration follows Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the emergence of the David Mark-led ADC leadership and decisions taken under it, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The suit was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman, who challenged the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed leadership positions.

The ruling has triggered fresh uncertainty around the ADC’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 elections, with the party and Atiku rejecting the decision and indicating plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

Despite the legal setback, Atiku maintains that his presidential ambition remains intact, insisting that the final decision on Nigeria’s leadership should rest with voters.