Gambiaj.com – (ABUJA, NIGERIA) – Nigeria’s opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has vowed to remain in the race for the January 16, 2027 presidential election despite a court ruling invalidating key decisions by his party’s leadership, including his emergence as its presidential candidate.
The ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja came a day after the former vice-president launched his campaign before thousands of supporters, raising fresh uncertainty over the opposition’s preparations for the election.
The court declared invalid decisions taken by David Mark, president of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), effectively nullifying the process through which Abubakar was selected as the party’s flagbearer.
The dispute stems from an internal leadership crisis within the ADC, which has become embroiled in several legal proceedings over rival claims to the party’s leadership.
The party has rejected the ruling, describing it as a “calculated attempt to weaken the ADC” in a statement published on X on Thursday, November 5. It has also announced plans to appeal.
Opposition figure Peter Obi, another challenger to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accused the ruling party of orchestrating the instability within the ADC.
However, a spokesperson for the presidency, quoted by AFP, denied any involvement by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku Insists He Will Remain in the Race
Despite the legal setback, Abubakar has insisted that he will not withdraw from the presidential contest.
In a statement issued in Sokoto on Friday, the former vice-president said neither court decisions nor political pressure and intimidation would force him out of the race.
“Let me be clear to every Nigerian who has stood with us: I am in this race. I am not going anywhere. We will be on the ballot,” he declared.
He also argued that Nigerians must be allowed to determine their political future through a free, fair, and credible election.
His campaign team has announced an appeal against the court’s decision, although uncertainty remains over whether the legal process will be concluded before the January election.
The ruling presents a significant challenge for the ADC, which had positioned itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
For now, Abubakar says his campaign will continue, even as the party battles to resolve its leadership crisis and secure his place on the ballot.
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