Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, describing the decision as politically motivated and an attempt to weaken the opposition party.
Atiku, who emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, said the ruling was intended to disrupt his political campaign and undermine the growing support the party was attracting across the country.
His reaction was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, in Abuja.
The former vice-president questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came barely a day after thousands of supporters welcomed him during a campaign event in Sokoto State.
He said the turnout demonstrated growing public interest in the ADC’s political message, particularly its promise to address economic hardship and make essential living conditions more affordable.
Atiku rejects regional interpretation of his presidential ambition
Atiku maintained that his presidential ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria, insisting that his campaign was designed to appeal to citizens across different regions, ethnic groups and religious backgrounds.
He acknowledged his roots in Northern Nigeria but argued that his political aspirations represented a national movement.
According to him, economic difficulties, hunger and the rising cost of living affect Nigerians regardless of their geographical location.
He further alleged that the court decision was part of an effort to weaken his support base in the North and disrupt the momentum generated by his campaign.
Former vice-president questions legal basis of judgment
Atiku also challenged the legal grounds for revisiting the ADC leadership dispute, referring to an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He cited Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, in which the court dismissed a challenge brought against the David Mark-led leadership.
According to Atiku, the earlier proceedings addressed issues relating to the court’s jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s legal standing and the failure to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution procedures.
He questioned why another case was subsequently brought to challenge the same leadership arrangement, arguing that the latest proceedings amounted to an attempt to bypass an existing judicial decision.
The latest ruling, however, arose from a separate suit instituted by former ADC National Deputy Chairman, North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
ADC leadership crisis reaches another legal stage
The latest judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.
The court declared the David Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate for the 2027 elections.
The case followed a challenge by Bala Gombe, who questioned the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed leadership after the departure of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
The judgment has created fresh uncertainty for the opposition party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku heads to Appeal Court, urges supporters to remain peaceful
Despite the setback, Atiku said the party would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
He urged ADC members and supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to the party’s political objectives.
The former vice-president also encouraged supporters not to allow the court decision to distract them from the campaign activities already underway.
He disclosed that the campaign train had moved to Kebbi State following the Sokoto engagement and insisted that the political mobilisation would continue.
Atiku called on party supporters to take the campaign message to communities through direct engagement, including house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation.
He expressed confidence that the party would overcome the latest challenge, maintaining that the ruling would not end its political activities.
The ADC leadership dispute now presents another significant legal and political challenge for the opposition as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
