Atiku, ADC Group Fault Court Judgement, Urge Nigerians To Defend Democracy

FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the United Friends for Atiku (UFFA) have criticised a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the development as politically motivated and a threat to democratic competition in Nigeria.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, said the judgment was intended to weaken the party and frustrate his growing political support ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also questioned the timing and legal basis of the ruling, citing an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which he said had upheld the leadership of the party under Sen. David Mark.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his campaign spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the ruling came barely a day after his reception by thousands of supporters in Sokoto.
He maintained that his presidential ambition was national rather than restricted to Northern Nigeria, adding that hunger and economic hardship affected Nigerians across regional and ethnic boundaries.
Atiku also questioned why another case was instituted to reopen the leadership dispute after Justice Liman had dismissed the challenge in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 on grounds of jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal remedies.
He said the party would challenge the latest judgment at the Court of Appeal, while urging supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding. He added that the campaign would continue, with the campaign train already in Kebbi.
Similarly, UFFA Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Audu, warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be undermined if judicial processes were used to weaken opposition parties and restrict political competition.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Audu said the judgment by Justice Peter Lifu, which invalidated the ADC leadership, raised serious concerns about judicial independence, voters’ rights and public confidence in the judiciary.
He expressed concern over what he described as conflicting judgments on the party’s leadership, particularly the earlier decision by Justice Liman affirming the Mark-led leadership.
Audu clarified that the group was not seeking immunity for political leaders or arguing that political parties should operate outside the law. Rather, he called for the fair administration of justice and respect for constitutional and democratic principles.
The group urged the judiciary to maintain its independence and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its responsibilities in line with the Constitution and final judicial decisions.
It also called on the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, United States, United Kingdom and European Union to monitor developments and ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process was not compromised.
Meanwhile, Atiku has urged Nigerians to participate massively in the 2027 general elections and protect their votes after casting them.
Addressing ADC supporters at a presidential campaign rally in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, he urged voters to mobilise their families and ensure that their votes were protected from polling units to ward, local government and state collation centres.
Atiku said the ADC, if elected, would prioritise restoring peace, bringing back fuel subsidy, reopening the country’s borders and addressing poverty and hunger.
He also pledged that the party would focus on employment generation, national unity and prosperity.
Earlier, the ADC National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, thanked the people of Kebbi for supporting the party’s campaign and expressed confidence that Atiku and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, would lead the party to victory in 2027.
Mark also presented the party’s flag to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, as its governorship candidate in Kebbi State.