Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned a Federal High Court judgment ordering the removal of Senator David Mark as leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as an alleged attempt to weaken the party and frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition.

Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, said the ruling raised serious legal concerns and announced that his campaign would challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

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He also alleged that the timing of the decision was politically motivated, claiming it was intended to disrupt the party’s growing support ahead of the 2027 general election.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.

Atiku Links Court Judgment To Sokoto Rally

Atiku questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came barely a day after thousands of supporters reportedly welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of the ADC campaign.

He described the court decision as a sign of panic among supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the ruling was intended to weaken his political support, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he said his campaign had received significant attention.

Atiku, however, insisted that his presidential ambition was not limited to the North, arguing that Nigerians across the country were affected by economic hardship.

He said:

“The people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in our promise to make life affordable again. What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward.”

ADC Presidential Candidate Questions Legal Basis Of Judgment

Atiku also challenged the legal basis of the ruling, referring to an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He said the earlier decision, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, had dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led ADC leadership.

According to Atiku, the court had upheld objections relating to jurisdiction, the legal standing of the parties and failure to exhaust internal party dispute-resolution mechanisms.

He questioned why another case was subsequently filed to reopen the dispute.

“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. The court upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved the substantive issues in their favour.

“Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.

Atiku Says Presidential Ambition Belongs To All Nigerians

The former vice-president maintained that his campaign was focused on addressing economic hardship and improving living conditions across the country.

He said his northern background should not be interpreted as a limitation on his political support, insisting that his message was intended for Nigerians from all regions.

“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries,” Atiku stated.

He added that Nigerians deserved leadership capable of addressing the rising cost of living and other economic challenges.

Atiku Urges ADC Supporters To Remain Calm

Despite the court decision, Atiku urged ADC members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

He said the party’s campaign activities would continue, adding that the campaign train had already moved to Kebbi State following the Sokoto rally.

The former vice-president also urged supporters to continue taking the party’s message to communities through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation.

“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

Atiku’s reaction signals that the legal dispute over the ADC leadership could become a major issue in the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.