By Divine Sam
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the recent Federal High Court judgment on the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to undermine his presidential ambition and weaken the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku alleged that the judgment was part of a political strategy to erode his support base in Northern Nigeria and slow the growing influence of his campaign across the country.
He made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
The former vice president noted that the judgment came barely 24 hours after thousands of supporters welcomed him to Sokoto State during the launch of the ADC campaign.
According to him, the large turnout reflected growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians over economic hardship and their desire for a change in government.
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.”
Rejecting suggestions that his presidential ambition was primarily a Northern project, Atiku maintained that his political message was directed at Nigerians across regional and ethnic boundaries.
He argued that the economic challenges facing the country were not restricted to any particular region and required a national response.
“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,” he said.
Atiku further alleged that the timing of the court judgment was deliberate and intended to disrupt the opposition’s political momentum.
“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.
On the legal issues surrounding the ADC leadership dispute, the former vice president questioned the decision to reopen the matter despite an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
He claimed that the earlier judgment dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership after upholding objections relating to jurisdiction, legal standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
Atiku also maintained that the substantive issues in the earlier case had been resolved in favour of the defendants.
Questioning the latest development, he described the fresh legal proceedings as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment and disclosed that the party would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.
The former vice president urged ADC members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the court ruling would not interrupt the party’s mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He added that the party’s Affordable Life campaign would continue, saying Nigerians deserved relief from the rising cost of living and prevailing economic difficulties.
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