Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to challenge the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the Court of Appeal.
Atiku described Thursday’s judgment as an attempt to weaken the opposition party and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Vice-President also questioned why a fresh lawsuit was instituted against the Mark-led ADC leadership despite an earlier judgment by the same Federal High Court, which he said had affirmed its legitimacy.
Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, titled ‘The Panic Is Real — Atiku’.
Atiku Links ADC Court Judgment to 2027 Presidential Ambition
Reacting to the ruling, Atiku questioned its timing, noting that it came barely a day after a large crowd attended the ADC campaign rally in Sokoto State.
According to him, the turnout demonstrated Nigerians’ growing desire for political change and support for the party’s promise to tackle the rising cost of living.
“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,” he said.
Atiku alleged that the judgment was designed to weaken his political support in Northern Nigeria and disrupt the momentum generated by the Sokoto rally.
“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 stated.
My Candidacy Is Beyond Northern Nigeria — Atiku
The former Vice-President insisted that his political ambition was not limited to Northern Nigeria, arguing that economic hardship affects citizens across the country regardless of their geographical location.
“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 added.
Atiku further accused the ruling party of underestimating his political influence by assuming that his support base was restricted to the North.
He maintained that the turnout at the Sokoto rally reflected the strength of a broader national political movement.
“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,” he said.
Atiku Cites Earlier Federal High Court Judgment on ADC Leadership
Explaining his decision to approach the Court of Appeal, Atiku referred to an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026.
The judgment, according to him, was delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 and dismissed a challenge to the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.
Atiku said the court upheld objections raised by the defendants concerning jurisdiction, legal standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the 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 favour,” he said.
Questioning the decision to reopen the dispute, Atiku described the latest ruling as an attempt to circumvent an existing court judgment.
“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,” he added.
Court Nullifies David Mark-Led ADC Leadership
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday nullified the leadership of the ADC led by David Mark.
The court also invalidated decisions taken by the party under the leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the party’s caretaker committee assumed leadership.
Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC had rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it through available judicial processes.
The opposition party also appealed to its members to remain calm and law-abiding while pursuing legal options.
Atiku Urges ADC Supporters to Remain Resolute
Despite the legal setback, Atiku urged his supporters not to allow the judgment to derail the party’s campaign activities across the country.
He insisted that the ADC’s Affordable Life campaign would continue, with a focus on addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges and reducing the burden of the rising cost of living.
“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,” he said.
The former Vice-President also encouraged supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation through house-to-house and door-to-door campaigns while maintaining peace.
“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,” Atiku added.
Atiku’s planned appeal is expected to be a significant development in the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC as the party navigates its legal and political challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
