Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged coordinated plot by elements within the ruling establishment to prevent the ADC from participating in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku claimed he had received credible intelligence suggesting that political and legal manoeuvres were being orchestrated to keep the ADC off the ballot ahead of the next presidential poll.
According to him, the alleged moves are aimed at weakening the opposition by targeting what he described as Nigeria’s “most credible alternative” political platform.
“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,” he said.
The former vice-president called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any attempt to undermine the country’s democratic process by determining which political parties should be allowed to contest elections.
He also challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow a level playing field if it was confident of its electoral strength.
“If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?” Atiku asked.
Although he expressed hope that the alleged plot would not materialise, Atiku argued that recent political developments had made it difficult to dismiss such concerns.
He alleged that institutions expected to be neutral were increasingly being drawn into partisan contests through litigation, administrative actions and other forms of political pressure.
According to him, opposition parties have in recent months faced attempts to manufacture internal crises, judicial challenges, administrative harassment and campaigns aimed at undermining their credibility.
Atiku further accused the Federal Government of prioritising political calculations over governance at a time Nigerians were grappling with inflation, hunger, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
He maintained that the growing popularity of the ADC should be challenged through the ballot box rather than through what he termed institutional intimidation.
“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,” he said.
The former vice-president warned that any attempt to prevent the ADC from participating fully in the electoral process would constitute a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
He also urged the judiciary to remain independent and resist external influence, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations and the international community to remain vigilant against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 general election.
“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,” he added.
