Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to press ahead with his presidential campaign despite a Federal High Court judgment challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the ruling as an attempt to derail his political ambition.
‎‎Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, accused unnamed political interests of using the court decision to undermine the party and weaken his growing support ahead of the 2027 general election.
‎‎He made his position known in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
‎‎The former vice-president questioned the timing of the judgment, which came a day after thousands of supporters gathered in Sokoto for his campaign rally and the launch of the party’s campaign.
‎‎According to him, the large turnout demonstrated Nigerians’ desire for a change in leadership and relief from the economic hardship under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
‎‎Atiku maintained that his presidential ambition was not limited to Northern Nigeria, insisting that the economic difficulties confronting citizens cut across regional and ethnic boundaries.
‎‎He said the campaign would extend to Kebbi State and other parts of the country, adding that the growing support for the ADC represented a national movement rather than a regional political project.
‎‎The former vice-president also questioned the legal basis of the latest judgment, citing an earlier decision by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
‎‎He recalled that the judge had dismissed a previous challenge to the David Mark-led ADC leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, ruling in favour of the defendants on issues bordering on jurisdiction, legal standing and failure to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
‎‎Atiku questioned why another suit was instituted to revisit the same dispute after the earlier judgment, describing the development as an attempt to circumvent an existing court decision.
‎‎He said the ADC would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.
‎‎The ADC presidential candidate urged party members and supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to the campaign, despite the legal setback.
‎‎He added that the party’s Affordable Life campaign would continue, with a focus on addressing the rising cost of living and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
‎‎Atiku also called on supporters to take the campaign to communities across the country through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation, insisting that the court judgment would not stop his quest to challenge the APC government.
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