Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and invalidating his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Atiku described the ruling as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition party, frustrate his presidential ambition and undermine a campaign he said was gaining national support.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), challenging the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
The court declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced Atiku as the ADC presidential candidate.
Reacting through a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came barely a day after thousands of supporters gathered in Sokoto for the launch of his presidential campaign.
He alleged that the ruling was intended to weaken his support in Northern Nigeria and disrupt the momentum of his campaign, which he said was attracting support across the country.
Atiku described the court decision as a sign of panic within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the camp of President Bola Tinubu.
“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.
The former Vice-President insisted that his political ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship confronting Nigerians cut across regional boundaries.
“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 stated.
He added that the judgment was part of a strategy to weaken his political support and frustrate the opposition’s 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,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate also raised legal concerns over the judgment, citing an earlier decision by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court in Abuja, which he said had dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership.
Atiku referenced Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, arguing that the earlier ruling had upheld objections relating to jurisdiction, legal standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while resolving the substantive issues in favour of the defendants.
He questioned why another suit was instituted to reopen the leadership dispute despite 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 urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not derail the party’s campaign activities.
He disclosed that the campaign train was already moving to Kebbi State and would continue across the country.
“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis.
“We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. There is no shaking,” he added.
The ADC has indicated that it will challenge the judgment through the appellate process. The ruling has significant implications for the party’s leadership and its nominations ahead of the 2027 elections.