Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to rise in defence of the country’s democracy following allegations of a plot to deregister the ADC ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as renewed efforts to use political and legal means to exclude the ADC from the ballot.
He claimed to have received credible intelligence indicating a coordinated attempt by anti-democratic elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent the ADC from participating in the 2027 election.
Atiku criticised what he called a pattern of unfair registration and deregistration of opposition parties perceived as capable of challenging the ruling party.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians — not just ADC members and supporters — to rise in defence 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,” the statement read.
“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.
