Atiku Abubakar has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. The ADC presidential candidate called the ruling a calculated attempt to weaken the party and frustrate his candidacy. In a statement titled “The Panic Is Real”, his spokesman said the timing was no coincidence. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in Abuja on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
According to reports, Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal. He also nullified the decisions taken under it. That includes the process that produced Atiku as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
The dispute at a glance
| Judgment | Justice Peter Lifu, Federal High Court, Abuja, 5 November 2026 |
| Effect, per reports | Mark-led leadership nullified, with decisions under it, including Atiku’s nomination |
| Atiku’s response | Timing “no coincidence”; will appeal |
| Earlier ruling he cites | Justice Musa Liman, 2 July 2026, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 |
| ADC position | Rejects the judgment; lawyers instructed to appeal |
| Government side | Minister Festus Keyamo defended the judgment |
Atiku said the judgment came a day after a huge crowd welcomed him in Sokoto for the launch of the ADC campaign. He said his roots are in Northern Nigeria, but his candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. He also said the ruling party wrongly assumes that his support ends in the North.
He raised legal concerns as well. Justice Musa Liman of the same court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the Mark-led leadership, Atiku said. According to him, that court upheld objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies. He asked why another case was filed to reopen the same dispute. Atiku called it an attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment, and said the party will go to the Court of Appeal.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party rejects the judgment entirely. He said decisions taken by the national working committee will not stand. The party has also told its lawyers to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
The government side sees it differently. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo defended the judgment, Lawyard reports. Meanwhile, Atiku urged supporters to stay calm and law-abiding. He said the campaign is already in Kebbi and will continue across the country under its Affordable Life message.
This report presents statements from the ADC camp and others. Sojworldnews has not reviewed the full text of the judgment. We will update this story as the appeal develops.
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