Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress under former Senate President David Mark, describing the ruling as an attempt to weaken the opposition and frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on Thursday. He held that the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee violated the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution. The court invalidated decisions taken under that leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise or act on resolutions from the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The suit was filed by a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the judgment was timed to disrupt momentum after a large turnout at the party’s campaign rally in Sokoto State a day earlier. He argued that the people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they were hungry for change and believed in the party’s promise to make life affordable again.
“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,” Atiku said. He maintained that his candidacy had national appeal, adding that hunger and hardship did not respect regional boundaries.
Atiku also questioned why a fresh suit was filed after an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. That ruling had dismissed a challenge to the Mark-led leadership, upholding objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies. He described the latest decision as a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment and said the matter would be taken to the Court of Appeal.
The ADC had earlier rejected the judgment and said it would pursue available judicial options while urging members to remain calm and law-abiding. Atiku called on his supporters to keep the campaign going through house-to-house and door-to-door outreach and to remain peaceful and focused.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
