Court Judgment Against ADC Leadership A Plot to Stop My 2027 Bid — Atiku

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described Thursday’s court judgment seeking to remove Senator David Mark as the party’s national leader as a deliberate attempt to frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the ruling was politically motivated and came at a time when his campaign was gaining momentum across the country.

According to him, the judgment was delivered barely a day after thousands of supporters turned out in Sokoto to receive him and participate in the launch of the ADC 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.

“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.”

Atiku argued that the timing of the judgment was not accidental.

“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.”

The former vice president also questioned the legal basis of the judgment, insisting that a Federal High Court had earlier ruled on the dispute involving the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. The court upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved 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.”

He assured party members and supporters that the legal battle would not derail the ADC’s campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku urged supporters to remain peaceful and continue mobilising voters despite the court ruling.

“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.”

The court judgment has triggered fresh controversy within the ADC, with the party expected to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal as the legal dispute over its leadership continues.