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Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the party led by Senator David Mark, describing the ruling as an attempt to weaken his 2027 presidential campaign.
Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the timing of the judgment was suspicious, coming barely a day after a large crowd welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of the ADC campaign.
He said the turnout in Sokoto demonstrated growing support for the ADC and its promise to address the country’s economic hardship and rising cost of living.
“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,” Atiku said.
The former Vice-President stressed that although he is from Northern Nigeria, his presidential ambition was national and not restricted to the region.
“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,” he said.
Atiku said Nigerians across the country were experiencing hardship and deserved leadership capable of reducing the pressure on households.
He alleged that the court ruling was part of an attempt to weaken his support in the North and frustrate the ADC campaign, which he said was gaining momentum nationwide.
“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,” he said.
Atiku also questioned the legal basis for the fresh case, recalling that Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had previously dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led ADC leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to him, the earlier judgment upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while resolving the substantive issues in their favour.
“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,” Atiku said.
He urged ADC supporters to remain calm, peaceful and focused, insisting that the court ruling would not halt the party’s campaign.
“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,” he said.
Atiku said the campaign train had moved to Kebbi and would continue to other parts of the country, urging supporters to take the ADC message “from house to house and door to door.”
“There is no shaking,” he added.
