Atiku Abubakar Rejects Court Ruling Against His Candidacy for 2027 Elections

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has rejected a recent court ruling that invalidated his candidacy for the 2027 elections. He described the ruling as an effort to derail a national movement for change.

The Federal High Court’s decision also removed the leadership of Senator David Mark from the party, declaring all actions taken by the executives, including Atiku’s nomination, invalid. Atiku’s comments came shortly after a large rally in Sokoto, where many supporters gathered to launch his campaign.

In a statement, Atiku emphasized that his campaign is about addressing the struggles faced by all Nigerians, not just those in the North. He 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.”

Atiku criticized the timing of the court’s ruling, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to weaken his support and disrupt his growing campaign. He pointed out that a previous ruling had upheld the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, questioning why another case was brought forward to challenge it.

The court’s ruling followed a suit from Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former party official, who argued that he should lead the party after the resignation of the former National Chairman. The court agreed with Gombe, declaring the Mark-led committee illegal and invalidating its decisions.

The ADC plans to appeal the ruling, asserting it is an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition ahead of the elections. The party’s National Publicity Secretary stated that they would challenge the decision through all available legal avenues.

Atiku urged his supporters to stay calm and continue their efforts, insisting that the ruling would not hinder their campaign. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria and encouraged supporters to spread their message widely.