Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fearing political competition following a court judgment nullifying his 2027 presidential candidacy under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku described the ruling as an attempt to weaken his political support in Northern Nigeria and disrupt his campaign ahead of the general elections.
“The panic is real,” he said in a statement issued Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had earlier nullified the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.
The judge also invalidated decisions taken by the leadership, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members assumed control of the party.
Atiku questioned the timing of the judgment, which came barely a day after a large crowd attended his campaign rally in Sokoto State.
“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 also questioned why another case was filed despite an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman, which he said had affirmed the Mark-led leadership.
“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,” Atiku said.
The ADC has also vowed to appeal the ruling.
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