Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating moves to weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and frustrate his 2027 presidential ambition following a court judgment against the party’s leadership.

Atiku described the development as a calculated attempt to undermine the ADC, insisting that the timing of the judgment, which came barely a day after his campaign rally in Sokoto, was suspicious.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the ruling party was unsettled by the growing support for his candidacy.

ALSO READ: ‘Don’t Set Nigeria on Fire’ – ADC Sends Warning to APC Over Lifu Judgment

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday, November 5, 2026, delivered a judgment affecting the leadership of the David Mark-led ADC, nullifying the party’s leadership structure and raising questions over the legitimacy of Atiku’s presidential candidacy.

Reacting to the ruling, Atiku alleged that the development was part of a broader strategy to weaken his political support, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and frustrate the ADC’s growing campaign.

“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.

He, however, maintained that his political ambition was not limited to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship facing Nigerians cuts across regional 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,” Atiku stated.

The former vice president also linked the judgment to the massive turnout at the ADC presidential campaign launch in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 4, where supporters gathered to welcome him.

He said the reception demonstrated Nigerians’ desire for political change and confidence in the ADC’s promise to make life more affordable.

“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 added.

Atiku also questioned the legal basis for reopening the dispute over the ADC leadership, recalling that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

According to him, the earlier judgment upheld the defendants’ objections on jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies, while resolving the substantive issues in their favour.

He questioned why another case was subsequently filed to reopen the same dispute, describing it as an attempt to circumvent an existing court judgment.

Atiku said the ADC would challenge the latest ruling at the Court of Appeal.

“We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he declared.

Despite the legal setback, the ADC presidential candidate urged party supporters to remain calm, peaceful and committed to the campaign, insisting that the development would not derail the party’s political activities.

He said the ADC campaign train was already in Kebbi State and would continue its nationwide mobilisation.

“Our Affordable Life campaign will continue because Nigerians deserve relief from this crushing cost-of-living crisis,” Atiku said.

He also urged supporters to take the party’s message to Nigerians through house-to-house and door-to-door mobilisation, adding that the campaign remained focused on rescuing the country from economic hardship.

“There is no shaking,” he declared.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria’s economy has been fixed, insisting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has overcome the difficult phase of its economic reforms.

Shettima made the declaration on Wednesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

According to the Vice President, the administration inherited an economy burdened by fiscal challenges, infrastructure deficits and weakened investor confidence, necessitating difficult but unavoidable reforms.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election

“We inherited an economy burdened by fiscal pressure. We inherited a country with an infrastructure deficit. We inherited a country with weakened investor confidence and structural defects. These problems demanded decisions that no responsible government could postpone. But I come to you to assure you that the worst days are over. We have already fixed our economy,” he said.

Shettima maintained that the government’s economic reforms had strengthened public finances, improved revenue generation and restored investor confidence, while providing additional resources for state governments to pursue development projects.

He said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to encourage domestic production, improve economic opportunities and address structural challenges affecting the country.

The Vice President also defended the government’s infrastructure programme, highlighting major road projects, including the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

According to him, the projects will strengthen connections between agricultural and industrial production centres and markets, reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade and create employment opportunities.

Shettima noted that Nasarawa State stands to benefit from improved infrastructure and investments in its agricultural and mineral resources.

He also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students from the state have access to financing under the scheme.

The Vice President further recalled President Tinubu’s approval for the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, describing it as an investment in the technical manpower required to develop Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

Acknowledging the economic difficulties experienced by Nigerians, Shettima said the government was conscious of the sacrifices associated with its reforms and remained committed to translating their gains into improved living conditions.

He urged Nigerians to give Tinubu another four-year mandate to complete the administration’s development programmes.

“We have promised to connect producers and markets. We have promised to ease movement across regions. We have promised to generate employment. We have promised to diminish costs that burden traders and families. This is what we are doing, and we have come to ask for your support for another term to complete this mission,” he stated.

Shettima also urged APC supporters to reject electoral violence and embrace peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally launched his 2027 presidential campaign in Sokoto State, promising to tackle insecurity, address hunger, restore hope to young Nigerians and make the country more affordable if elected president.

Atiku announced the commencement of his campaign in a statement on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to supporters for the rousing reception he received in Sokoto.

He described the state as a historic centre of faith, scholarship and leadership, saying he was honoured to begin his presidential campaign from the North-West state.

SEE ALSO: Atiku Raises Alarm Over Attacks on Sowore, ADC Governorship Candidate, Accuses APC of Intimidation

“Nigerians are tired of hunger, fear, and broken promises. Today, they have a choice, a plan, and a leader ready to deliver,” he said.

The former vice president pledged to end insecurity across Nigerian communities, create renewed opportunities for young people and address the economic difficulties facing households.

“The journey to rescue Nigeria begins here. Together, we will win,” he added.

The campaign launch comes after days of controversy surrounding the ADC’s planned rally in Sokoto, which was initially scheduled for October 31 before being postponed to November 4.

The party had attributed the postponement to planning and coordination considerations, while also alleging that some hotel operators in the state were pressured to deny accommodation to delegates and supporters travelling for the event.

The Sokoto State Government, however, denied directing hotels to reject ADC members and delegates.

Tensions escalated further after the state government sealed an ADC campaign office over a dispute concerning ownership of the property, which officials said belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank.

On Tuesday, Atiku also accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of allegedly recruiting protesters to disrupt the campaign launch and create grounds for imposing a curfew in the state.

He alleged that the planned disruption was intended to frustrate the opposition party’s activities. The allegations have not been independently verified, while the APC rejected claims of involvement in efforts to disrupt the campaign.

Amid the controversy, the ADC initially kept the rally venue secret, citing security concerns.

However, the party later announced that the presidential campaign flag-off would take place at its state secretariat along Ilorin Road, Sokoto.