Atiku Vows to Challenge Court Judgment Nullifying Mark-Led ADC Leadership at Appeal Court

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

Atiku said he would take the matter to the Court of Appeal, insisting that the decision should not be allowed to stand.

The former Vice-President described the judgment as an attempt to weaken the opposition party and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that the development was capable of disrupting the party’s political activities and efforts to mobilise Nigerians for the next presidential election.

Atiku also questioned the decision to institute another legal action against the Mark-led leadership despite an earlier judgment by the same Federal High Court, which he said had affirmed the legitimacy of the leadership.

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

Atiku Links Court Judgment to ADC’s Growing Political Support

The former Vice-President questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came barely a day after a large crowd attended the ADC campaign rally in Sokoto State.

He argued that the turnout demonstrated the growing interest of Nigerians in the party and its campaign promises ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Atiku, the people who attended the Sokoto rally were demanding political change and looking for solutions to the economic difficulties confronting the country. He said the party’s promise to make life more affordable had continued to attract supporters.

Atiku stated that the Sokoto rally was only the beginning of the party’s planned political activities, adding that residents of Kebbi State and Nigerians in other parts of the country would also have opportunities to express their support as the campaign progressed.

He alleged that the timing of the court decision was connected to efforts to weaken his political influence in Northern Nigeria and reduce the momentum generated by the Sokoto rally. He maintained that the judgment was part of a strategy to disrupt a campaign that he claimed was gaining acceptance across the country.

The former Vice-President, however, insisted that his presidential ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria.

He argued that although he came from the North, his political ambition was directed at securing support from Nigerians across different regions because the economic challenges facing the country affected citizens regardless of their location.

Atiku further accused the ruling party of miscalculating his political strength by assuming that his support base was limited to the North.

He maintained that the response recorded at the Sokoto rally and the planned activities in Kebbi and other states would demonstrate the national reach of his political movement.

Atiku Questions Fresh Legal Action Against David Mark-Led ADC

Addressing the legal dispute, Atiku referred to an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. He said the court had previously dismissed the challenge against the David Mark-led leadership.

According to him, the earlier court decision upheld objections concerning jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies.

Atiku maintained that the substantive issues had also been resolved in favour of the defendants, making the filing of another case over the same leadership dispute questionable.

He consequently described the latest judgment as an attempt to circumvent an existing judicial decision. Atiku said his legal team would challenge what he called a judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal.

The latest judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court nullified the leadership of the Mark-led ADC and invalidated decisions taken under its leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which David Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the leadership violated the party’s constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Following the judgment, the ADC rejected the decision and announced that it would pursue available legal options.

Atiku also urged party members and supporters not to allow the development to weaken their commitment to the campaign, insisting that the party’s activities would continue nationwide.

He called on supporters to remain peaceful and take the party’s message to Nigerians through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation.