ADC Denounces Court Ruling Against Atiku’s Candidacy, Claims APC is Desperate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a recent court ruling that removed its leadership and invalidated the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The ruling was made by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ADC claims this judgment is part of a desperate effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the opposition and limit Nigerians’ choices in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the judgment came just a day after a large campaign rally in Sokoto, which they believe caused panic within the APC.

In a statement, the ADC expressed concern that the ruling could have serious consequences for many candidates running for various offices. They argued that this issue goes beyond Atiku Abubakar or the ADC leadership; it affects the democratic rights of all Nigerians to choose their leaders freely.

The ADC plans to challenge the court’s decision, citing a previous ruling from July 2026 that affirmed the legitimacy of their leadership. They emphasized that one court cannot overturn the decision of another court of the same level.

The party also criticized the APC for allegedly manipulating the judicial system out of fear of the opposition. They warned that the stability of Nigeria is more important than any political ambition and called for fair elections.

In light of the ruling, the ADC urged its members to remain calm and to follow legal channels to address the situation. The court’s decision has raised questions about the future of Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy, which had already been recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).