Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there are renewed efforts by elements within the ruling establishment to undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had received what he described as credible information suggesting that political and legal strategies were being deployed to prevent the ADC from participating fully in the 2027 elections.
According to him, the alleged plot is aimed at weakening the opposition by targeting the ADC, which he described as the country’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,” the statement read.
Atiku called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, to defend the country’s democratic process and reject what he termed attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to determine which opposition parties should 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?” he queried.
While expressing hope that the alleged plans would not materialise, the former vice-president said recent political developments made it difficult to ignore the warning signs.
He alleged that institutions expected to remain neutral were increasingly being drawn into partisan contests, while what he described as frivolous litigation, administrative actions and political pressure were being used to weaken the opposition.
“The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests. Then, frivolous litigation suddenly gains unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed. Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty,” he said.
Atiku further accused the ruling party of focusing more on political survival than governance, despite the country’s economic and security challenges.
“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 stated.
He argued that the growing popularity of the ADC should be met with political competition 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,” he said.
Atiku warned that any move to stop the ADC from participating in the electoral process would amount to a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“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 added.
The former vice-president also urged the judiciary to uphold its constitutional responsibility by resisting political pressure, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to remain vigilant in safeguarding the integrity 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,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the APC or the Federal Government to Atiku’s allegations.
