The former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over what he described as a renewed and coordinated effort by certain elements within the ruling establishment to manipulate the democratic process and prevent Nigerians from freely choosing their next president.
In a statement issued by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had received credible intelligence suggesting that fresh political and legal moves may be underway 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.”
“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.
Although he expressed hope that the information would not materialise, Atiku said recent events make it difficult to ignore such warnings.
“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 said Nigerians have witnessed multiple tactics allegedly deployed against the opposition in recent months, including attempts to create leadership crises, judicial ambushes, administrative harassment, and calculated efforts to weaken what he described as the country’s fastest-growing political movement.
Atiku argued that the growing focus on weakening opposition parties has shifted attention away from governance, even as Nigerians continue to grapple with hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power.
“The obsession with silencing the opposition has become so consuming that governance itself has taken a back seat. At a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and collapsing purchasing power, those entrusted with public office appear preoccupied with political survival rather than national survival.”
He said the rising popularity of the ADC and the support it is receiving nationwide should be met with better ideas rather than intimidation or institutional interference.
“The proper response to a popular political movement is not suppression. It is to present superior ideas before the electorate. Democracies are won at the ballot box, not in back rooms, not through manipulated court processes, and certainly not through the abuse of state institutions.”
Atiku warned that any move to stop the ADC from fully participating in the electoral process would amount to a serious attack on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy since the return to civil rule.
“No administration has the constitutional authority to determine which political party Nigerians are permitted to vote for. Sovereignty belongs to the people—not to those who temporarily wield power. The ballot is sacred, and every attempt to tamper with it is an attack on the Republic itself.”
He also called on the judiciary, Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society groups, and the international community to remain vigilant against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
“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.”