Atiku Fires Back After Court Nullifies His 2027 ADC Candidacy

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has broken his silence following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the ruling as a calculated attempt to derail a growing national movement.

Atiku, who rejected the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, insisting that the ruling would not stop his presidential ambition or the ADC's campaign to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The judgment dealt a major blow to the ADC, nullifying the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and other party officials. It also invalidated all actions taken by the disputed leadership, including the processes that produced Atiku as the party's presidential candidate.

Reacting through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the timing of the judgment, suggesting that it was designed to weaken his growing political influence.

He pointed to the massive turnout at his campaign rally in Sokoto on Wednesday, barely a day before the court's decision, as evidence that his political movement was gaining momentum.

According to him, thousands of supporters who trooped out to welcome him were sending a clear message about their desire for political change and relief from the country's worsening economic hardship.

"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 declared.

The former Vice President also dismissed suggestions that his political appeal was restricted to Northern Nigeria, insisting that his presidential ambition transcended regional and ethnic 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.

He added that hunger, inflation and economic hardship were national problems affecting Nigerians across geopolitical zones.

Atiku further alleged that the court ruling was part of a broader strategy to frustrate the ADC's growing opposition movement and weaken his support base.

"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 said.

He, however, insisted that those behind the alleged political manoeuvre had underestimated the reach of his campaign.

COURT RULING SPARKS FRESH LEGAL BATTLE

At the centre of the controversy is a leadership dispute involving Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume leadership of the party.

He subsequently asked the court to nullify decisions taken by the Mark-led caretaker committee and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary.

Justice Lifu upheld Gombe's claims, declaring the emergence of the Mark-led leadership illegal and invalidating its actions, including the processes that produced Atiku as the party's presidential candidate.

The ruling has thrown the ADC's leadership structure and its 2027 electoral preparations into uncertainty, setting the stage for another round of legal battles.

However, Atiku questioned the legal foundation of the decision, citing an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

He maintained that the earlier judgment had dismissed a challenge to the Mark-led leadership on grounds including jurisdiction, lack of standing 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," he declared.

ADC REJECTS JUDGMENT, ACCUSES APC OF TARGETING OPPOSITION

The ADC has also rejected the ruling, describing it as an attempt to cripple the opposition and undermine Nigerians' opportunity to choose their preferred leaders in the 2027 general election.

In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the timing of the judgment and linked it to the massive turnout at Atiku's November 4 campaign rally in Sokoto.

The party also maintained that the decision was legally indefensible, insisting that the earlier judgment by Justice Liman had already addressed the leadership dispute.

It vowed to challenge the ruling through all available judicial channels.

Despite the legal setback, Atiku urged his supporters not to panic or resort to violence, calling on them to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the campaign.

He insisted that the ADC's political activities would continue, disclosing that the campaign train was already heading 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," he said.

Atiku further urged supporters to take the campaign message from house to house and door to door, declaring that the court judgment would not derail their mission.

"There is no shaking," he declared.

With the ADC leadership dispute now heading towards the appellate courts, the battle over the party's structure and its 2027 presidential ticket is far from over.