By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that no court ruling can substitute the verdict of Nigerian voters, declaring that he remains on the ballot and will not abandon his campaign.
In a statement issued in Sokoto on Friday, Atiku said the latest court ruling should not be mistaken for the will of Nigerians, warning against attempts to weaken the opposition ahead of the polls.
“No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future,” he said. “We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide.”
Atiku accused those in power of deploying political pressure, manufactured narratives and courtroom manoeuvres instead of presenting their record to Nigerians. He also alleged attempts to compromise the voters’ register with AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities, saying such actions risked pushing Nigeria towards a one-party state.
He cited the removal of the fuel subsidy without adequate protection for citizens, the steep decline of the naira, rising food prices, closure of factories and small businesses, youth emigration and persistent insecurity as failures of the current government.
“Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your family has become a daily struggle. Fuel prices keep rising, and silent pain fills homes across the country,” Atiku said, urging supporters not to lose hope.
He vowed to resist what he described as efforts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, calling for a free, fair and credible contest.
“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 said. “Bola cannot use the courts to escape the judgment of Nigerians at the ballot box.”
Atiku urged Nigerians to remain calm, united and resolute, saying his campaign’s message on the cost of living would not be silenced.
