2027: Atiku’s Supporters Protest In Abuja Over Court Judgment Voiding Candidacy [PHOTOS]

Supporters of the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, staged a protest outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a court judgment that nullified his candidacy for the upcoming 2027 general election.

The demonstration follows a ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which sacked the Senator David Mark-led Caretaker Committee of the ADC and invalidated all official acts executed under its leadership—including the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

Prior to the judgment, Atiku’s name had been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a valid presidential candidate, after which he selected former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, as his vice-presidential running mate.

The legal challenge was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally next in line to assume party leadership.

Gombe urged the court to set aside the caretaker committee comprising Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, contending that their emergence violated both the internal constitution of the ADC and statutory provisions of the Electoral Act.

Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s prayers, declaring the Mark-led leadership illegal and nullifying all candidate nominations conducted under their authority ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Addressing newsmen during Wednesday’s demonstration, aggrieved protesters alleged that court officials were deliberately delaying the release of the CTC to Atiku’s legal team in order to frustrate his constitutional right to file an appeal before statutory deadlines elapse.

The ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, confirmed that the party and its candidate intend to challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeal.

In addition to submitting a formal petition at the Federal High Court premises, the protesters announced plans to deliver copies of their petition to the United States Embassy and the United Nations office in Abuja, calling for international observation of Nigeria’s judicial and electoral processes.

See photos below: