Atiku blows hot, says court judgment against Mark targets his presidency

By Segun Adebayo

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the Federal High Court judgment challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, as a calculated attempt to weaken the party and frustrate his presidential ambition.

Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, said the ruling was politically motivated, arguing that its timing, barely a day after a large crowd welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of the party’s campaign, raised questions about the intention behind the legal action.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the turnout in Sokoto reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration and increasing support for the ADC’s promise to address the country’s economic challenges.

He maintained that his political appeal extended beyond Northern Nigeria, insisting that the hardship confronting Nigerians was a national concern that required a credible response rather than regional politics.

Atiku said the court judgment was part of an alleged strategy to undermine his support in the North and disrupt a campaign whose message, according to him, was gaining acceptance across the country.

He said the ruling party was mistaken if it believed his political strength was limited to the North, adding that the reception in Sokoto was an indication of what the ADC expected to witness in Kebbi and other parts of the country.

The former vice president also questioned the legal basis of the judgment, recalling that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

According to him, the court had upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while also resolving the substantive issues in their favour.

He questioned why another case had subsequently been instituted to reopen the same dispute, describing the development as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment.

Atiku said the ADC would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that the party would pursue all available legal options to defend its leadership and political interests.

He urged party members and supporters not to allow the development to distract them from the campaign, calling on them to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to taking the party’s message to Nigerians.

The ADC presidential candidate said the campaign would continue in Kebbi and other parts of the country despite the legal challenge, stressing that the party’s promise to address the rising cost of living remained central to its agenda.

He added that the ADC’s Affordable Life campaign was aimed at offering Nigerians relief from the economic difficulties under the current APC-led government.

Atiku urged supporters to remain resolute and sustain their mobilisation efforts through house-to-house and door-to-door campaigns, declaring that the party’s determination to pursue its political objectives remained unchanged.

“There is no shaking,” he said.