Atiku Rejects Court Judgment Nullifying ADC Candidacy, Vows Appeal

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, describing the ruling as an attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku said he would challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the decision raised serious legal concerns, particularly because another Federal High Court judgment had previously addressed the dispute over the party’s leadership.

His position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

The former Vice-President also questioned the timing of the judgment, which came a day after his presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State.

He alleged that the ruling was part of a deliberate strategy to weaken his political support in Northern Nigeria and frustrate a campaign whose message, he claimed, was gaining acceptance across the country.

According to Atiku, the large turnout at the Sokoto rally demonstrated Nigerians’ desire for political change and renewed efforts to address the country’s economic difficulties.

He maintained that his presidential ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the 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,” he said.

Atiku further questioned the legal basis of the latest judgment, citing an earlier decision delivered on July 2, 2026, by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The earlier case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, was instituted by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, who challenged the emergence of the David Mark-led ADC leadership.

According to the ADC’s account of the July judgment, Justice Liman dismissed the suit, holding that the plaintiff lacked the necessary legal standing, had failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and had approached a court without jurisdiction over the issues raised.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Mark-led National Working Committee.

Atiku argued that the latest judgment raised questions about whether a court of coordinate jurisdiction could make a decision that conflicts with an existing judgment of another court of equal standing.

“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.

The latest judgment was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in a separate suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East).

Gombe had challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the party’s caretaker leadership assumed control following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

The court upheld the plaintiff’s case and nullified the Mark-led leadership structure and actions taken under it, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The ADC has rejected the ruling and indicated that it would pursue an appeal.

Atiku, meanwhile, urged party supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the judgment would not stop the party’s political activities.

He said the campaign would continue, with the campaign train already in Kebbi State following its outing in Sokoto.

The former Vice-President also urged supporters to take the party’s message to Nigerians through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation.

“Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

He maintained that the party remained committed to its campaign despite the legal challenge, adding that its supporters should remain peaceful and focused.