The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have condemned a Federal High Court judgment removing Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party, describing it as an attempt to weaken the opposition and frustrate its participation in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the timing of the judgment, which came barely a day after a large crowd attended the party’s presidential campaign rally in Sokoto.
He alleged that the ruling was part of a strategy to weaken his support in northern Nigeria and undermine a campaign gaining momentum across the country.
“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. 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.”
Atiku maintained that his presidential ambition was national rather than regional, adding that Nigerians across the country were experiencing hardship and deserved leadership capable of making life affordable.
He also questioned the legal basis of the judgment, citing an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to him, Justice Liman had dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership, upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved the substantive issues in their favour.
Atiku questioned why another case was instituted to reopen the dispute, describing it as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment.
He said the party would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal and urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as its campaign continued across the country.
In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also rejected the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The party alleged that the ruling was delivered to frustrate its growing political support, arguing that its timing, barely 24 hours after the Sokoto rally, raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the decision.
The ADC warned that the judgment could affect thousands of its candidates seeking elective offices at local, state and federal levels, insisting that the dispute went beyond Atiku and Mark to the democratic rights of Nigerians to choose their leaders.
The party also cited Justice Liman’s judgment of July 2, 2026, in the same suit, which it said affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
It argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not review or overturn the subsisting decision of another court of equal jurisdiction.
The ADC said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of Justice Lifu’s judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and orders, while maintaining that it would pursue all available legal options.
The party further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using judicial controversies to undermine opposition parties, warning that political competition should not be weakened through court disputes.
It called on the judiciary to uphold democratic principles and urged its members nationwide to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the party pursued its legal challenge.
The ADC also said its campaign would continue, insisting that its message of making life affordable for Nigerians remained central to its political agenda.
