By Mary Izuaka

 

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment purporting to remove David Mark’s leadership of the party.

Mr Abubakar described the move as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Abubakar said the timing of the judgment was telling.

“It came barely a day after a mammoth crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome him and attend the launch of the ADC campaign,” the statement said.

Mr Abubakar said the people of Sokoto came out in thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in his 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,” Mr Abubakar said.

“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.

Timing is no coincidence’

Mr Abubakar said the judgment was part of a strategy to weaken his support in the North.

“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 added.

Legal concerns

The ADC candidate also raised what he described as serious legal concerns about the judgment.

“Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court had already dismissed the challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

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“The court upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, and resolved the substantive issues in their favour. Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.

Campaign continues

Mr Abubakar urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding and not to let the judgment weaken the momentum generated in Sokoto. He said the campaign train was already in Kebbi and would continue across the country.

“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis. We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused. There is no shaking,” he said.