Atiku Blasts Court Verdict Sacking David Mark Leadership, Vows To Appeal

​ABUJA — The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing attack on Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment nullifying the Senator David Mark-led national leadership of the party and voiding his presidential nomination, dismissing the legal move as a panic-driven plot to derail his surging campaign.

​Reacting through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku maintained that the timing of the ruling—handed down by Justice Peter Lifu just a day after a massive, enthusiastic turnout for his campaign launch in Sokoto—exposes a calculated political agenda by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cripple the opposition.

​A Calculated Judicial Maneuver

​Atiku expressed profound concern over the legal validity of the judgment, pointing out that a coordinate court had previously settled the matter.

​He referenced Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, in which Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court dismissed a similar challenge against the David Mark-led executive. According to Atiku, Justice Liman’s ruling comprehensively upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing, and the failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while resolving all substantive issues in their favor.

​”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,” Atiku asserted.

​’Hunger Knows No Regional Boundaries’

​Addressing speculations surrounding his political support base, the former Vice President dismissed claims that his influence is restricted to Northern Nigeria. He emphasized that the overwhelming reception in Sokoto and subsequent rallies manifest a broad, national frustration with the current economic hardship.

​”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,” Atiku stated. “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 added that the ruling party’s biggest miscalculation is assuming that the momentum behind his “Affordable Life” movement can be halted through judicial interference.

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​Campaign Train Moves Unabated to Kebbi

​Despite the legal setback, the ADC campaign machinery has refused to slow down. Moving swiftly from Sokoto, the campaign train arrived in Kebbi State, where Atiku addressed mammoth crowds, reiterating his core policy commitments—including restoring the fuel subsidy, tackling chronic insecurity, and creating sustainable employment.

​Atiku called on the party’s faithful supporters across the federation to remain calm, law-abiding, and resolute in the face of what he described as desperate diversionary tactics.

​”Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one,” Atiku charged. “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.”