Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to a court judgement removing the Sen. David Mark-led leadership of the party, describing it as “politically-motivated”.
A statement by Phrank Shaibu, ADC-PCC campaign spokesperson on Thursday in Abuja, said the ruling was aimed at “weakening the party”.
Atiku questioned the judgement’s timing, coming barely a day after he was welcomed by party supporters in Sokoto.
“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,” he said.
Atiku said his candidacy was national, not limited to Northern Nigeria, adding that hunger and hardship affected citizens across regional and ethnic boundaries throughout Nigeria.
“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.
“The timing of this judgement 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,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president also questioned the legal basis for reopening the leadership dispute, citing an earlier judgement by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court.
He said that Liman had dismissed the challenge to the Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 and upheld objections on jurisdiction, standing and exhaustion of internal remedies.
“Why, after that judgement, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgement,” he added.
Atiku said the party would challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal and urged supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding amid tensions.
He also urged supporters not to allow the judgement to undermine the momentum generated in Sokoto, saying that the campaign train was already in Kebbi and would continue.
Atiku urged supporters to remain resolute, take the campaign message from house to house and door to door, and remain peaceful and focused.
According to him, there is no shaking, insisting he would be on the ballot on January 16.
