Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to remain in the race for the 2027 presidential election despite a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that nullified key leadership and nomination processes of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku, who is seeking the presidency on the ADC platform, insisted that he would appear on the ballot, declaring that no political pressure or court manoeuvre would force him to abandon his ambition. He also maintained that Nigerians must be allowed to determine the country’s leadership through a free, fair and credible election.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, nullified the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and other individuals as national officers of the ADC. The court also invalidated the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections, ruling that they emerged under an unlawful leadership structure.

Reacting to the judgment in a statement shared online on Thursday, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using political influence and legal proceedings to weaken opposition parties and undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

The former vice president questioned why a government that claims to enjoy the support of 32 governors would allegedly resort to measures aimed at restricting political competition rather than allowing Nigerians to assess its performance at the polls.

He also alleged that attempts were being made to compromise the voters’ register through artificial intelligence-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.

Atiku further criticised the Tinubu administration over the country’s economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, rising food prices and increasing pressure on households and businesses.

He argued that the government’s economic policies had worsened living conditions, forcing some factories and small businesses to close while many young Nigerians continued to seek better opportunities abroad.

The ADC presidential hopeful also raised concerns about insecurity, particularly the activities of bandits and kidnappers, accusing the government of failing to adequately address the challenges affecting communities across the country.

Addressing his supporters, Atiku urged Nigerians not to lose hope or withdraw from the democratic process, insisting that their votes remained the most powerful instrument for determining the country’s political future.

He stressed that he had no intention of stepping down from the 2027 presidential contest, regardless of the legal and political challenges confronting the ADC.

Atiku also promised that his campaign would continue to focus on the rising cost of living and other issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, adding that the opposition would resist any attempt to turn the country into a one-party state.

He maintained that Nigeria’s democracy must accommodate multiple political parties and competing voices, challenging the ruling party to face the opposition in a transparent electoral contest if it was confident of its popularity and achievements.

Concluding his statement, Atiku declared that President Tinubu could not use the courts to avoid the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.

His declaration comes amid growing uncertainty over the ADC’s leadership structure and its preparations for the 2027 general elections following the Federal High Court’s decision.