From Premium Times Nigeria · Ogalah Dunamis · · 3m
Atiku vows to appeal court ruling against presidential candidacy
Atiku Abubakar plans legal challenge to Federal High Court decision nullifying his presidential nomination.
In brief
Atiku Abubakar plans legal challenge to Federal High Court decision nullifying his presidential nomination. Atiku Abubakar's campaign council will appeal Thursday's Federal High Court ruling that invalidated his ADC presidential candidacy and seek interim relief. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar campaign council
Atiku Abubakar's presidential campaign council says its lawyers are preparing to seek a stay of execution of Thursday's Federal High Court judgement invalidating his nomination as the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate.
Atiku rejects court ruling
Atiku Abubakar rejected the ruling and promised to challenge it at the Court of Appeal, insisting his campaign would continue in Kebbi State following Wednesday's launch in Sokoto.
Atiku's statement on X
Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of trying to use court proceedings to derail his presidential campaign, saying the timing was part of a strategy to weaken his support in the North.
Atiku disputes Northern political project label
Atiku disputed the portrayal of his candidacy as a Northern political project, stating his roots are in Northern Nigeria but his candidacy belongs to all Nigerians.
Atiku's rally support
Atiku interpreted the turnout at his Sokoto rally as a sign of support for his campaign's promise to make living costs more affordable.
Federal High Court ruling details
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East).
Earlier Federal High Court decision
Atiku argued Thursday's judgment conflicted with an earlier Federal High Court decision delivered by Justice Musa Liman on 2 July in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
Campaign council's legal strategy
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council described Justice Lifu's judgment as an academic exercise and said its legal team is taking steps to seek interim relief including a stay of execution.
Campaign council's timeline claim
Kola Ologbondiyan, the campaign council's media director, distinguished between a stakeholders' meeting on 2 July 2025 and a National Executive Council meeting on 29 July 2025.
Campaign council's political interference claim
The campaign council alleged political interference in the proceedings but provided no evidence to substantiate the claim.
Deregistration case context
The campaign council cited an earlier ruling by Justice Lifu ordering the deregistration of the ADC and four other parties, which the Court of Appeal had overturned.
ADC leadership dispute
The ADC's leadership dispute involved former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola emerging as national officers.
Campaign council's position
The campaign council maintained that Messrs Mark and Aregbesola remained the ADC's legitimate national officers and urged supporters to continue campaigning.
Atiku's campaign continuity
Atiku said the ADC's Affordable Life campaign would continue in Kebbi and other parts of the country despite the judgment.
What matters most
Atiku Abubakar's campaign council will appeal Thursday's Federal High Court ruling that invalidated his ADC presidential candidacy and seek interim relief.
