FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have rejected the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark and invalidating decisions taken by its caretaker committee, including Abubakar’s nomination as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Abubakar described the judgment as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition party and frustrate his presidential ambition, while the ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using judicial controversies to undermine political competition.
In separate statements issued on Thursday, November 5, the former vice-president and the party questioned the timing and legal basis of the judgment delivered by Peter Lifu, a justice of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Abubakar, through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the ruling came barely a day after thousands of supporters attended the ADC presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State.
He alleged that the judgment was part of a strategy to weaken his support in northern Nigeria and frustrate a campaign whose message, according to him, was gaining acceptance 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,” he said.
Abubakar, however, maintained that his presidential ambition was not limited to northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship confronting Nigerians cut across regional boundaries.
He also questioned why another suit was allowed to challenge the Mark-led leadership after a Federal High Court had earlier upheld it in a separate case.
Abubakar cited the July 2, 2026, judgment of Musa Liman, a judge of the court, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, in which the court dismissed a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the emergence of Mark and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
He argued that the latest judgment amounted to an attempt to circumvent the earlier decision and said the party would challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Similarly, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described Justice Lifu’s judgment as legally indefensible and accused the APC of attempting to cripple the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party alleged that the timing of the judgment, coming barely 24 hours after its Sokoto rally, suggested that the ruling had been deliberately accelerated because of the crowd that attended the event.
“We have reasons to believe that the judgment had long been written on this case. The Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery,” Abdullahi said.
The party also questioned the implications of the judgment for other ADC candidates seeking elective offices at the local, state and federal levels.
It argued that the decision was not limited to Abubakar and Mark but could affect the participation of thousands of its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The ADC further faulted the judgment on the grounds that Liman had previously upheld the Mark-led leadership in Abejide’s suit.
According to the party, a court cannot sit on appeal over, review or nullify the decision of another court of coordinate jurisdiction.
However, the ADC said it was awaiting a certified true copy of Justice Lifu’s judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and consequential orders.
The party vowed to pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the ruling and urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding.
Abdullahi also accused the APC of attempting to eliminate political competition through what he described as judicial manoeuvres, warning that such actions could threaten the country’s peace and democratic stability.
“We warn the APC: do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” he said.
Abubakar also urged his supporters not to allow the judgment to derail the party’s campaign, saying its mobilisation activities would continue across the country.
He said the campaign train had moved to Kebbi State and maintained that the party would continue promoting its Affordable Life campaign, which he said was aimed at addressing the rising cost of living.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M