Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has condemned a Federal High Court judgment that voided his nomination and sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party. In a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described the judgment as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy. The judgment came barely a day after a large crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome Atiku and attend the launch of the ADC campaign.
The former Vice-President stated that the people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in the ADC's promise to make life affordable again. Atiku emphasized that his roots are in Northern Nigeria, but his candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. He noted that hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries, and Nigerians across the country are suffering under the current government. Atiku believes they deserve a leader with a credible plan to make life affordable again.
Atiku also raised concerns about the timing of the judgment, stating that it is part of a strategy to weaken his support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country. However, he emphasized that the ruling party's greatest miscalculation is to assume that his support ends in the North. Atiku pointed out that what was witnessed in Sokoto and what will be seen in Kebbi and across the country is the strength of a national movement.
The ADC candidate also expressed serious legal concerns about the judgment, noting that Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed a 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 favor. Atiku wondered why another case was filed to reopen the same dispute after that judgment.
Atiku charged party supporters to remain calm and law-abiding and not to let the judgment weaken the momentum generated in Sokoto. The campaign train is already in Kebbi and will continue across the country. Atiku urged his supporters to remain resolute, take the party's message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. He emphasized that the journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one.
The ADC candidate stated that the party's Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from the crushing cost-of-living crisis. Atiku expressed confidence that the party's message will resonate with Nigerians, and he will challenge the judicial maneuver at the Court of Appeal. He emphasized that there is no shaking and that the party will continue to push for a change in the country.
Atiku's reaction to the court judgment comes as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. The ADC is one of the parties vying for power in the elections, and Atiku's candidacy has been gaining traction across the country. The party's campaign is focused on providing a credible alternative to the current government, with a promise to make life affordable again for Nigerians.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar condemns court judgment voiding his nomination and sacking ADC leadership
- The judgment was described as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate Atiku's candidacy
- Atiku's campaign is focused on providing a credible alternative to the current government, with a promise to make life affordable again for Nigerians
