Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment purporting to remove Senator David Mark as National Chairman of the party, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken the party and frustrate his candidacy.
Atiku, in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said the timing of the judgment was telling, coming barely a day after a mammoth crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome him at the launch of the party’s campaign.
“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,” he said.
The candidate 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,” adding that what was witnessed in the state was only the beginning.
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“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. Nigerians across the country are suffering under this government, and they deserve a leader with a credible plan to make life affordable again”, the statement read.
Legal concerns
Atiku also faulted the ruling on legal grounds, arguing that it sought to reopen a dispute already settled by the same court. He recalled that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed the challenge to the Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, upholding the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolving 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.
Campaign continues
He urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, saying the judgment must not weaken the momentum generated in Sokoto. The campaign train, he noted, is already in Kebbi State and will continue across the country.
“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. We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. There is no shaking”, said Atiku.
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