Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of using a recent Federal High Court judgment on the leadership of the African Democratic Congress to frustrate his presidential ambition and contain the opposition party's growing political influence ahead of the 2027 elections. The court ruling came barely 24 hours after thousands of supporters welcomed Atiku to Sokoto for the launch of the ADC campaign. Atiku's campaign has been gaining momentum, with the former vice president insisting that the judgment would neither derail the party's campaign nor diminish its appeal across the country.
The Sokoto reception reflected Nigerians' growing frustration with economic hardship and their desire for a change of government. According to Atiku's statement, the people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in the party's promise to make life affordable again. The reception was seen as a show of support for Atiku's candidacy, which he claims is not limited to the North. Atiku rejected attempts to frame his candidacy as a Northern project, stating that his political message is relevant across regional boundaries.
Atiku alleged that the judgment was intended to disrupt the momentum of his campaign and weaken the opposition's growing political reach. He claimed that the timing of the judgment was no coincidence, but rather part of a strategy to weaken his support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country. However, Atiku insisted that the ruling party's greatest miscalculation is to assume that his support ends in the North.
The former Vice President questioned the legal implications of the judgment, wondering why the leadership dispute was reopened despite an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court had dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership after upholding objections bordering on jurisdiction, standing, and failure to exhaust internal party remedies. Atiku stated that the substantive issues were also resolved in favour of the defendants.
Atiku's campaign train is already in Kebbi, and he has urged supporters to take the party's message from house to house and door to door. He declared that there is no shaking and that the party's Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from the crushing cost-of-living crisis. The former Vice President urged ADC supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not interrupt the party's mobilisation.
Atiku's candidacy has been gaining traction, with many Nigerians expressing support for his promise to make life affordable again. The economic crisis confronting Nigerians has made Atiku's political message relevant across regional boundaries. He stated that hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries and that Nigerians across the country are suffering under the current government.
Atiku's team will challenge the judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal. The former Vice President remains optimistic about his chances in the 2027 presidential election, stating that what was witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi and Nigerians across the country will have their say as the party's campaign moves forward.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar accuses APC of using court judgment to frustrate his 2027 presidential bid.
- Atiku claims his candidacy is not limited to the North, but a national movement.
- The court ruling will be challenged at the Court of Appeal.
