Atiku Challenges Court Ruling Against Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Heads to Appeal Court

Atiku Challenges Court Ruling Against Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Heads to Appeal Court

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to appeal the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday in Abuja, has thrown fresh uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure and the political platform through which Atiku intends to pursue his presidential ambition in the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the development, Atiku accused certain interests of attempting to destabilise the ADC and undermine the growing support behind his political movement.

His position was conveyed in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, titled The Panic Is Real — Atiku.

The former Vice-President questioned why another legal action was brought against the Mark-led leadership despite an earlier Federal High Court decision which, according to him, had upheld its legitimacy.

He also expressed concern over the timing of Thursday’s judgment, which came a day after the ADC attracted a large crowd during its campaign rally in Sokoto State.

According to Atiku, the impressive turnout demonstrated growing public dissatisfaction with the country’s economic conditions and Nigerians’ desire for a change in leadership.

He maintained that the party’s message of making life affordable was gaining acceptance among citizens struggling with rising living costs.

Atiku said the political momentum recorded in Sokoto would extend to Kebbi State and other parts of the country as the campaign progressed.

He further alleged that the latest court decision was designed to weaken his political influence in Northern Nigeria and disrupt the support generated by the rally.

However, the former Vice-President insisted that his presidential ambition was not restricted to any particular region, arguing that economic hardship had become a national concern.

He said his Northern background should not be mistaken for a campaign built exclusively around Northern political interests, adding that Nigerians across geographical and cultural boundaries deserved economic relief and responsible leadership.

Atiku also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of underestimating the extent of his political appeal by assuming his support base was concentrated in the North.

On the legal controversy, he referred to a previous judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

He explained that the court had dismissed an earlier challenge to the Mark-led ADC leadership after considering objections relating to jurisdiction, the legal standing of the claimant and the failure to exhaust internal party dispute-resolution procedures.

Atiku questioned the decision to institute another case over an issue he believed had already received judicial attention.

He described the latest proceedings as an attempt to bypass an existing judgment and confirmed that the party would pursue an appeal.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, nullified the Mark-led ADC leadership on Thursday following a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party representing the North-East.

The claimant had challenged the process through which David Mark and other members of the party’s caretaker committee assumed leadership.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership contravened provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court consequently invalidated decisions taken under the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on resolutions reached during the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

The ADC had rejected the ruling, announcing that it would explore available legal channels to challenge the decision. The party also appealed to its members to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the matter progressed through the judicial system.

Despite the setback, Atiku urged his supporters not to abandon their political activities, insisting that the campaign would continue across the country.

He maintained that the party’s Affordable Life campaign remained necessary because Nigerians deserved relief from the prevailing economic difficulties.

The former Vice-President encouraged supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation through house-to-house and door-to-door campaigns while avoiding actions capable of disturbing public peace.

The latest development introduces another significant legal and political challenge for the ADC as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.