Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment nullifying his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, describing the ruling as an attempt to derail what he called a growing national movement.
Atiku also condemned the judgment, which nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and invalidated decisions taken under the disputed executives, including the process that produced him as the party’s 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 judgment, noting that it came barely a day after thousands of supporters gathered in Sokoto for his reception and the launch of the party’s presidential campaign.
“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 also dismissed suggestions that his political support was concentrated in Northern Nigeria, insisting that his candidacy appealed to Nigerians across regional and ethnic 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 said.
Atiku further alleged that the judgment was part of a strategy to weaken his political support and frustrate the ADC’s growing 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.
He also questioned the legal basis of the ruling, citing an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, which he said had affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
According to Atiku, the earlier decision, delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, dismissed a challenge to the party’s leadership on grounds including jurisdiction, locus standi and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
“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.
Thursday’s judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), 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 constitutionally entitled to take over its 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.
Upholding Gombe’s claims, Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidated its actions, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ruling is expected to be challenged at the Court of Appeal.
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 choose their leaders in the 2027 general 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 also challenged the legal basis of the decision, citing the earlier judgment by Justice Liman, and vowed to pursue all available legal avenues to overturn it.
Meanwhile, Atiku urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not derail the momentum generated by the Sokoto rally.
He said the campaign train had already moved to Kebbi State and would continue its activities 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 said.
