African Democratic Congress Challenges Court Ruling on Atiku’s Candidacy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is fighting back against a recent court ruling that nullified its leadership and declared former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ineligible as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

The Federal High Court’s decision, made by Justice Peter Lifu, has raised alarms within the party. They argue that it threatens the political rights of their members and candidates as the general elections approach. ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced the party’s intention to appeal the ruling.

In a statement, the ADC expressed concerns about the timing of the judgment, which came as political activities ramp up ahead of the elections. They emphasized that the ruling could impact many candidates from their party who are vying for various positions across the country.

The party’s statement highlighted the importance of the democratic rights of Nigerians, stating that this issue goes beyond just Atiku Abubakar or David Mark, the party’s leader. They argue that the ruling undermines the ability of citizens to choose their leaders freely.

The ADC also criticized the ruling by referencing a previous court decision that affirmed the legitimacy of its current leadership. They claim that a court of equal standing should not be able to overturn another court’s ruling.

While the ADC awaits the official documentation of the court’s decision, they have urged their members to remain calm and assured them that they will explore all legal avenues to address the situation. They also called on the judiciary to uphold democratic principles and allow fair political competition as the elections approach.