Court Ruling Casts Doubt on Atiku Abubakar's Presidential Bid

In a dramatic twist to Nigeria's political landscape, the Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, also dissolved the party's leadership, throwing the opposition into disarray just months before the scheduled presidential elections on 16 January.

A Party in Turmoil

The ADC has condemned the judgment as a desperate attempt to cripple the opposition. In a statement, the party vowed to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The case was brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national deputy chairman, who argued that the appointment of former Senate president David Mark as interim chairman was unlawful because he was not elected at a national convention. Gombe contended that he himself should have assumed leadership following the resignation of the party's former chairman in 2025.

This is not the first time the court has weighed in on the ADC's leadership. In July, Justice Musa Liman had ruled that Mark's appointment was in accordance with the law and the party's constitution. Abubakar questioned the timing of the new case, asking, "Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute?"

Abubakar Decries Political Motives

Abubakar, 79, who is making his seventh bid for the presidency, described the ruling as evidence of panic among those threatened by his candidacy. He noted that the judgment came barely a day after a massive crowd welcomed him in Sokoto for the launch of his campaign. "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," he said. "What we witnessed in Sokoto is only the beginning."

The ADC, which has become the main opposition platform after several high-profile politicians defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2025, warned that the ruling could create uncertainty for hundreds of its candidates and raise questions about who has the authority to represent them.

Opposition Figures React

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and another major contender, expressed shock at the ruling. In a statement on X titled "Do not undermine democracy," Obi said, "My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty." He emphasized the need to protect opposition politics, especially in a region where military takeovers are a concern. "The sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, in the midst of encroaching military rule in West Africa, should strengthen our resolve to protect opposition politics and not stamp out opposition parties," he added.

Obi, who briefly joined the ADC before leaving earlier this year, partly due to the party's legal challenges, stressed that as president he would ensure the existence of opposition parties is respected. "This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive," he said.

Electoral Commission's Stance

Despite the legal turmoil, the electoral commission has already issued its final list of candidates, and Abubakar's name appears on the ticket for the ADC, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. The ADC remains the most formidable opposition to President Bola Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC), and many influential politicians opposed to the ruling party have defected to its ranks.

Abubakar, who served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, is hopeful that his seventh attempt at the presidency will be successful. He called on his supporters to remain resolute and focused. "Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis. We urge our supporters to remain resolute, take our message from house to house and door to door, and stay peaceful and focused," he said.

As the legal battle continues, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Abubakar's candidacy survives and whether the ADC can present a united front against the ruling party.