Atiku Dismisses Court Ruling on ADC Leadership, Vows Appeal
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment affecting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as an attempt to weaken the party and frustrate his presidential ambition.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, said the ruling, which reportedly invalidated the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party, was politically motivated and strategically timed to undermine the momentum of his campaign.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku noted that the judgment came barely a day after a large crowd welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of the party’s campaign.
He described the turnout as evidence of growing public support for the ADC, insisting that the party’s message of economic relief and affordable living was gaining national acceptance.
According to him, the campaign’s appeal extends beyond Northern Nigeria, stressing that economic hardship and the rising cost of living affect citizens across regional and political boundaries.
“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,” he said.
Read Also:
Atiku alleged that the timing of the judgment was part of a broader strategy to weaken his political support in the North and disrupt a campaign whose message, he maintained, was resonating across the country.
He, however, insisted that the ruling would not diminish the movement’s momentum, adding that the campaign would proceed to Kebbi State and other parts of the country.
The former Vice-President also questioned the legal basis for reopening the dispute over the ADC leadership, citing an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
He said the court had previously dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership after upholding objections relating to jurisdiction, locus standi and failure to exhaust internal party dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Atiku argued that instituting another case over the same dispute amounted to an attempt to circumvent an existing judicial decision.
“We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he declared.
He consequently urged ADC supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, warning against actions that could undermine the party’s political objectives.
Reaffirming his commitment to the campaign, Atiku said the ADC would continue its Affordable Life campaign, which he described as a response to the economic hardship and cost-of-living crisis facing Nigerians.
He urged supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation through house-to-house and door-to-door campaigns, insisting that the party would remain focused despite the legal and political challenges.
“There is no shaking,” he said.
