Isiyaku Ahmed
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment nullifying his emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, describing it as an attempt to derail a growing national movement.
Atiku also condemned the judgment, which invalidated the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party and all decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced him as the ADC presidential candidate.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the timing of the ruling, coming barely a day after thousands of supporters attended his campaign rally and the launch of the party’s presidential campaign in Sokoto.
He said the turnout reflected Nigerians’ growing demand for political change and their desire for relief from 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.
The former Vice-President dismissed suggestions that his political support was restricted to Northern Nigeria, insisting that his candidacy represented a national aspiration.
He said economic hardship affected Nigerians across regional and ethnic boundaries, adding that his campaign was focused on providing solutions to the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku further alleged that the judgment was part of a strategy to weaken his political support in the North and frustrate the ADC’s growing campaign.
He, however, maintained that the ruling would not undermine the party’s nationwide mobilisation efforts.
Questioning the legal basis of the judgment, Atiku cited an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, which he said had upheld the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership.
According to him, the earlier judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 dismissed a challenge to the party’s leadership on grounds including jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
He questioned why another suit was instituted to reopen the dispute despite the earlier decision and described the development as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment.
Atiku said he would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
He consequently asked the court to nullify decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The court upheld his claims, declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidating its actions, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ADC has also rejected the judgment, describing it as an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 elections.
In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the timing of the ruling, linking it to the large turnout at Atiku’s November 4 campaign rally in Sokoto.
The party maintained that the judgment was legally indefensible, citing the earlier decision by Justice Liman, and vowed to challenge it through all available judicial processes.
Meanwhile, Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the judgment would not stop the party’s campaign activities.
He said the campaign train had moved to Kebbi State and would continue its mobilisation across the country.
Atiku reiterated his commitment to the ADC’s Affordable Life campaign, which he said was aimed at addressing the economic hardship and rising cost of living confronting Nigerians.
He urged supporters to take the party’s message to communities across the country while remaining peaceful and focused.
