Trending 
A senior aide to President Bola Tinubu has hit back at former vice-president Atiku Abubakar after he accused the Nigerian leader of using the courts to prevent opposition candidates from challenging him in the 2027 presidential election.
Olusegun Dada, Tinubu’s special assistant on social media, said the president had no hand in Atiku’s political difficulties, arguing that the former vice-president’s predicament followed his own political decisions.
“President Tinubu has no hand in your political travail. Actions and inactions have consequences. The nullification of your candidacy is the result of your inability to look before you leap,” Olusegun wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
Read More : SERAP Demands Details of N50,000 Relief Payments
The aide’s response followed a statement Atiku published on November 6, in which he accused Tinubu of using the courts to escape the judgement of Nigerians at the ballot box.
“BOLA CANNOT USE THE COURTS TO ESCAPE THE PEOPLE’S VERDICT; WE ARE ON THE BALLOT — ATIKU,” the former vice-president wrote in the headline of his statement.
Atiku said the latest court ruling should not be mistaken for the will of the Nigerian people, insisting that it would not end his political ambition or prevent Nigerians from choosing their next president.
“Let no one mistake the latest court ruling for the will of the Nigerian people. No manipulation, conjecture or concoction can erase our place in this contest, silence our campaign or deny Nigerians the right to choose their future. We are on the ballot, and the people must be allowed to decide,” he said.
He accused those in power of using political pressure, what he called manufactured narratives and courtroom manoeuvres to weaken the opposition.
“Those who boast of having thirty-two governors and claim to have bought, pressured or coerced leaders from other parties into their fold should have no reason to fear a free and fair contest,” Atiku said.
“Yet, instead of presenting their record to Nigerians, they continue to deploy every tactic available to weaken the opposition: political pressure, manufactured narratives, courtroom manoeuvres and attempts to compromise the voters’ register with AI-generated photographs, false names and fictitious identities.”
Atiku also accused the government of presiding over worsening economic conditions, citing the removal of the fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira and rising food prices.
He said factories and small businesses had shut down, young Nigerians were leaving the country in search of opportunities, while insecurity continued to affect communities.
“Look around you. Market stalls stand empty. Feeding your family has become a daily struggle. Fuel prices keep rising, and silent pain fills homes across the country,” he said.
The former vice-president urged his supporters not to lose hope, insisting that he would remain in the presidential race despite the court ruling.
“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. No threat, blackmail or court manoeuvre will make me abandon you or the cause we share,” he said.
Responding, Olusegun questioned Atiku’s political standing, claiming that he had been rejected by the original leadership of the ADC and by the judiciary.
The aide also referred to Atiku’s rallies in Sokoto and Kebbi, describing them as “lifeless rallies”, and contrasted them with what he called the “overwhelming reception” Tinubu received during recent visits to Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
Olusegun said he wished Atiku success if he chose to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, but said he would rather face him in an election.
“However, we wish you success as you challenge the recent pronouncement at the Court of Appeal, as we would prefer to roundly disgrace you at the polls rather than have the court save you from the impending electoral embarrassment,” the aide wrote.
The Abuja High Court ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, nullified the ADC caretaker committee led by former Senate president David Mark and decisions taken by the committee.
The ruling also affected the party’s process for selecting its candidates for the 2027 elections and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting in July 2025.
The case was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North East, who challenged the leadership of the caretaker committee.
Alhaji,
It is important to listen to the voice of reason and embrace common sense before it’s too late. Blaming President Tinubu for your self-inflicted misfortune will certainly not help you.
President Tinubu has no hand in your political travail. Actions and inactions have consequences. The nullification of your candidacy is the result of your inability to look before you leap.
.
Yesterday, the chicken finally came home to roost. You lost at the Federal High Court, and instead of taking responsibility, you are placing the blame at the door of President Tinubu.
President Tinubu is a democrat. He understands the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
We will not chastise you, rather, we will offer you some perspective on your precarious situation. You have been rejected by the original owner of the ADC, you have been rejected by the judiciary, and, going by your lifeless rallies in Sokoto and Kebbi, you have also been rejected by the Nigerian people.
However, we wish you success as you challenge the recent pronouncement at the Court of Appeal, as we would prefer to roundly disgrace you at the polls rather than have the court save you from the impending electoral embarrassment.
Finally, Waziri, perhaps it is time to accept reality rather than blame Tinubu for your political misfortunes. Rejected by your party, defeated in court and struggling to draw crowds at rallies, the signs are everywhere. Perhaps watching Tinubu’s overwhelming reception in Akwa Ibom and Rivers might finally convince you that the problem is not Tinubu, but your politics.
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 7, 2026
