No court ruling can keep me off 2027 ballot — Atiku

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that no court ruling can keep him off the 2027 ballot, vowing to remain in the presidential race despite the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the party and invalidated his nomination.

The declaration was made in a statement issued on Friday in Sokoto, where the former Vice President insisted that Nigerians, not judges, must determine their political future, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE DECLARATION

Atiku did not mince words. “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,” he declared .

He rejected the judgment as an attempt to manipulate the democratic process. “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,” he said .”We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide”.

THE ALLEGATION

Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deploying political pressure, court manoeuvres and other tactics to weaken opposition parties ahead of the election.

He alleged that those in power were attempting to compromise the voters’ register through “AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities,” warning that such actions could push Nigeria towards a one-party state.

“Those who boast of having thirty-two governors and claim to have bought, pressured or coerced leaders from other parties into their fold should have no reason to fear a free and fair contest,” he said

THE ECONOMIC CRITIQUE

Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices and worsening insecurity, arguing that the government had failed to ease the hardship facing Nigerians.

“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.

He said businesses had shut down and young people were leaving the country in search of opportunities, while banditry and kidnapping continued to threaten communities.

THE VOW

Atiku urged his supporters not to lose hope, insisting that he would not withdraw from the presidential contest despite the legal challenge.

“No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he said .

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He vowed that the opposition would resist attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and called on the ruling party to face its opponents in a free, fair and credible election.

“If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair and credible contest,” Atiku said.

He added: “Let me say this plainly: Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box”.

WHY IT MATTERS

Atiku’s statement is a direct challenge to the authority of the Federal High Court and a signal that he intends to fight the judgment both in court and in the court of public opinion.

His legal team has indicated plans to appeal, but the judgment remains binding until a higher court rules otherwise. By insisting that he is “on the ballot,” Atiku is testing the limits of judicial authority and daring INEC to enforce the ruling.

For the ADC, the statement is a rallying cry. For the ruling party, it is a provocation. And for Nigerians, it is a reminder that the 2027 election will be contested not just at polling units, but in courtrooms and in the streets.

The legal battle continues. The political battle has just begun. ValidViewNetwork reports.