Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of orchestrating a plot to weaken the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, made the allegation while reacting to Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the Senator David Mark-led faction of the party and invalidated its actions, including the nomination of Atiku as its presidential candidate.
The former vice president described the judgment as a calculated attempt to undermine the opposition party, arguing that its timing was suspicious and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the judgment came barely a day after thousands of supporters welcomed him in Sokoto State for the launch of his presidential campaign.
He said the turnout at the Sokoto rally demonstrated growing public support for the ADC and its promise to address the country’s worsening economic hardship.
“The people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in our promise to make life affordable again. What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward,” he said.
Atiku dismissed suggestions that his political support was restricted to Northern Nigeria, insisting that his presidential ambition was built around a national movement capable of attracting voters across regional and ethnic divides.
“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North.
“Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries. Nigerians across the country are suffering under this government, and they deserve a leader with a credible plan to make life affordable again,” he said.
He further alleged that the judgment was part of a broader strategy to weaken his political influence in the North and disrupt the growing momentum of the ADC campaign.
“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country.
“But the ruling party’s greatest miscalculation is to assume that my support ends in the North. What we saw in Sokoto, what we will see in Kebbi and across the country, is the strength of a national movement,” he added.
The former vice president also questioned the legal basis of the judgment, arguing that the dispute over the leadership of the ADC had previously been determined by another judge of the same court.
According to him, Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
Mr Atiku said the court had upheld the defendants’ objections bordering on jurisdiction, locus standi and failure to exhaust internal party dispute-resolution mechanisms, while resolving the substantive issues in their favour.
He questioned why another case was instituted to reopen the same dispute after the earlier judgment.
“Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.
Atiku’s reaction came amid renewed uncertainty over the leadership of the ADC and the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment has raised fresh questions about the validity of decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s preparations for the presidential election.
However, Atiku urged his supporters not to allow the development to derail the opposition party’s campaign, insisting that its activities would continue despite the legal setback.
