‘There Is No Shaking’ — Atiku reacts to Court judgment, vows to continue ADC campaign, says APC afraid after Sokoto rally

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exploiting the Federal High Court judgment on the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition and weaken the opposition party.

Atiku alleged that the timing of Thursday’s judgment was part of a deliberate strategy to undermine his political support in Northern Nigeria and stop the expansion of his campaign across the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice president insisted that the ruling would neither derail the party’s campaign nor diminish its growing national appeal.

He noted that the judgment came barely 24 hours after thousands of supporters welcomed him to Sokoto State for the launch of the ADC campaign.

According to Atiku, the massive reception reflected Nigerians’ growing dissatisfaction with economic hardship and their desire for a change in government.

“The people of Sokoto came out in their thousands because they are hungry for change and believe in our promise to make life affordable again. What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning. The people of Kebbi will have their say, and so will Nigerians across the country as our campaign moves forward,” he said.

Atiku also rejected suggestions that his presidential ambition was primarily a Northern project, arguing that the economic challenges confronting Nigerians cut across regional and ethnic boundaries.

“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. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries,” he said.

He maintained that Nigerians across the country were experiencing the effects of economic hardship and deserved a government with a credible plan to make life more affordable.

The former vice president further alleged that the latest court ruling was intended to disrupt his campaign momentum and weaken the opposition’s growing political influence.

“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country,” he said.

Atiku questions fresh court proceedings

On the legal implications of the judgment, Atiku questioned why the ADC leadership dispute had resurfaced despite an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja in a separate case involving the party.

He referred to Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, in which Justice Musa Liman dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership.

According to Atiku, the earlier court decision upheld objections relating to jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s legal standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while also resolving the substantive issues in favour of the defendants.

He questioned the filing of another case seeking to challenge the same leadership arrangement, describing it as an attempt to circumvent an existing judgment.

“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,” he said.

However, the earlier suit was instituted by a different plaintiff, Leke Abejide, while the latest judgment followed a separate case filed by former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Atiku urges supporters to remain peaceful

Despite the legal setback, Atiku urged ADC members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, insisting that the party’s mobilisation would continue.

He maintained that the party’s Affordable Life campaign would remain focused on addressing the cost-of-living crisis and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

“Our journey to rescue Nigeria from the hardship imposed by the APC government is a long one. Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

With the campaign train already in Kebbi State, the former vice president urged supporters to take the party’s message to communities through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation.

He concluded with the declaration: “There is no shaking.”