Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that he remains a viable contender for the 2027 presidential election and will appear on the ballot. In a statement released on Friday, Abubakar warned that judicial maneuvers cannot prevent Nigerians from determining the outcome of the next general election.
The ADC candidate accused the current administration of employing political pressure and court processes to weaken opposition parties, alleging that these actions are part of a broader strategy to push Nigeria toward a one-party state. Abubakar emphasized that legal rulings should not be conflated with the democratic will of the populace, stating, “Let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the Nigerian people.”
Abubakar further alleged that the integrity of the electoral process is being compromised through the manipulation of the voters’ register. He cited the use of AI-generated photographs, false names, and fictitious identities as methods being employed to distort voter data, a claim he presented as evidence of an attempt to frustrate a fair contest.
The statement also included a sharp critique of the Tinubu administration’s economic management. Abubakar blamed the government for worsening economic hardship, pointing to the removal of fuel subsidies, the decline of the naira, and rising food prices. He listed factory closures, youth migration, banditry, and kidnapping as additional challenges facing the country under the current leadership.
“I am in this race. I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot,” Abubakar told his supporters, declaring his intention to continue the contest despite the legal and political pressures.
Challenging the ruling party to face the opposition in a transparent election, Abubakar urged those in power to rely on their electoral numbers and governance record rather than political influence. He stated, “If those in power believe in their numbers and their record, let us meet at the polls in a free, fair and credible contest.”
The former vice president concluded his statement with a direct message to the President, asserting that legal avenues cannot substitute for democratic accountability. “Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box,” he said.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
