Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged a fresh plot by unnamed elements within the ruling establishment to prevent the African Democratic Congress from participating in the 2027 general election, warning that any attempt to exclude the opposition party from the contest would amount to a grave assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, claiming he had received “credible information” suggesting that political and legal manoeuvres were being coordinated to keep the party off the ballot.
According to him, the alleged move forms part of a wider campaign to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to choose their next president freely.
“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,” Atiku said.
He called on Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to resist what he described as efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress to determine which opposition parties should be allowed to contest the 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 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 warnings.
