Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to challenge the Federal High Court judgment nullifying his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, describing the decision as an attempt to frustrate a growing national movement.

The court, in a ruling delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and invalidated all actions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including the process that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate.

Reacting to the judgment, Atiku accused those behind the legal proceedings of attempting to weaken his political influence and disrupt the ADC’s growing momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former Vice President described the timing of the ruling as suspicious, noting that it came barely 24 hours after thousands of supporters attended his campaign rally in Sokoto.

Atiku said the massive turnout demonstrated Nigerians’ growing desire for political change, insisting that the movement would extend beyond the North to other parts of the country.

“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,” he said.

He also rejected claims that his political ambition was largely dependent on Northern support, arguing that the economic hardship confronting Nigerians had made his campaign a national concern.

“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,” he stated.

The ADC presidential candidate further alleged that the judgment was designed to undermine his support base and frustrate the opposition party’s growing campaign.

“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,” he added.

Atiku also faulted the legal basis of the ruling, citing an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, which he said had upheld the legitimacy of the David Mark-led leadership.

He referenced Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, saying the court had previously dismissed a challenge to the party’s leadership on grounds including jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.

Questioning why another case was instituted over the same leadership dispute, Atiku described the latest proceedings as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment.

“We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker committee as leaders of the party.

Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the leadership of the ADC.

He consequently asked the court to invalidate decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

The court upheld his claims, declaring the caretaker committee illegal and nullifying its actions, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, the ADC has also condemned the judgment, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition parties and undermine Nigerians’ democratic right to choose their leaders in 2027.

In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the timing of the ruling, linking it to the large turnout recorded at Atiku’s November 4 campaign rally in Sokoto.

The party maintained that the decision was legally indefensible and vowed to challenge it through all available judicial processes.

Despite the development, Atiku urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not stop the campaign.

He disclosed that the campaign train had moved to Kebbi State, assuring Nigerians that the party would continue its nationwide engagements.

“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.