Atiku says court ruling against ADC targets his candidacy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ThisDay
Atiku accuses the ruling that removed David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress of seeking to weaken the party and his presidential candidacy. The candidate says the decision came after a successful rally in Sokoto and targets his efforts to establish support in northern Nigeria, according to his campaign team.
Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, has accused a court decision removing Senator David Mark’s leadership from the ADC of seeking to weaken his party and hinder his candidacy. In a statement relayed by Phrank Shaibu, his campaign team’s director of strategic communications, Atiku said the ruling came the day after a rally held in Sokoto.
The former vice-president of Nigeria said the mobilisation seen in Sokoto State showed that his message extended beyond the north of the country. He said the court decision was intended to reduce his regional support and assured that his campaign would continue in neighbouring Kebbi State and then across the rest of Nigeria, according to ThisDay.
Atiku also challenged the legal basis of the ruling. He recalled that another Federal High Court judge, Musa Liman, had rejected a challenge to David Mark’s leadership in 2025, citing in particular the court’s jurisdiction, standing to sue and the failure to exhaust the party’s internal remedies. Atiku announced an appeal to the Court of Appeal, reports ThisDay.
This position comes after the invalidation of Atiku’s candidacy for 2027, announced on 5 November. It also follows the appeal lodged by the Nigerian ADC against the invalidation, also published on 5 November.
