Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged a plot to block ADC from 2027 ballot. He claimed some forces within the ruling establishment want to stop Nigerians from freely choosing their next president.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he received credible information about fresh political and legal moves aimed at preventing the ADC from appearing on the 2027 election ballot.
He said those behind the plan want to weaken the opposition but have made the ADC their main target because of its growing popularity.
Speaking on the plot to block ADC from 2027 ballot, Atiku urged Nigerians to defend democracy. He asked citizens to reject any attempt to decide which opposition parties can contest the 2027 general election.
He also challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying a confident ruling party should not fear political competition.
Although he hopes the alleged plan will not happen, Atiku said recent events make the warning difficult to ignore.
He claimed a familiar pattern exists. According to him, neutral institutions become involved in partisan politics, questionable lawsuits gain speed, administrative powers face selective use, and political pressure builds behind closed doors.
Atiku said the opposition has faced leadership disputes, court actions, administrative harassment, and efforts to discredit the ADC in recent months.
He argued that the government now focuses more on political survival than solving Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, including inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and rising hardship.
He insisted the ADC’s growing support should attract healthy political competition, not intimidation or institutional interference.
Atiku said political parties should win elections through better ideas and votes, not through manipulated court cases or abuse of state institutions.
He warned that any attempt to stop the ADC from contesting the election would seriously threaten Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
According to him, no government has the constitutional power to decide which political party Nigerians can vote for. He stressed that the people alone hold that authority.
Atiku also called on the judiciary to remain independent and resist political pressure. He urged judges to uphold justice and protect the Constitution.
He appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society groups, the diplomatic community, and other stakeholders to stay alert against actions that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, saying democracy survives only when citizens actively defend their constitutional rights.
