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.
