Atiku Reacts To Court Judgment Voiding His Candidacy

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment nullifying his nomination for the 2027 presidential election, characterizing it as a calculated attempt to derail a growing national movement.

In an official statement released by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku strongly condemned the verdict, which dissolved the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and struck down all executive decisions taken by the committee—including the primary election that produced him as flagbearer.

Atiku noted that the timing of the court ruling was suspicious, taking place just one day after thousands of party supporters gathered in Sokoto State for the official launch of the ADC presidential campaign tour.

“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,” Atiku stated.

Rejecting claims that his political popularity is confined to Northern Nigeria, the ADC candidate emphasized that his platform addresses economic hardships shared by citizens nationwide.

“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,” he said.

He accused opponents of using judicial maneuvers to slow down the ADC’s momentum and undermine his electoral appeal ahead of the general elections.

“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,” he noted. “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.”

Challenging the legal foundation of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, Atiku pointed to an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which had previously upheld the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership by dismissing petitions on grounds of standing, jurisdiction, and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.

“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,” Atiku declared.

The latest ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claimed that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over party leadership. Justice Lifu ruled in Gombe’s favor, declaring the caretaker committee illegal and setting aside all its candidate nominations.

Atiku called on ADC supporters across the country to maintain composure and continue grassroots mobilization as the campaign proceeds to Kebbi State.

“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 former Vice President concluded.