ADC Rejects Court Ruling Voiding Atiku's Candidacy, Blames APC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a court judgment that nullified the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar and sacked all its candidates and leadership, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of desperation to cripple the opposition. The party's reaction follows a ruling by a Federal High Court that voided Atiku's candidacy and dissolved the ADC's national leadership led by Ralph Nwosu.

Key points

• ADC rejects court judgment nullifying Atiku Abubakar's candidacy and sacking its candidates.
• Party accuses APC of using the judiciary to weaken opposition ahead of elections.
• Atiku vows to appeal the ruling, calling it an attempt to derail a national movement.
• The judgment also nullifies the ADC's national leadership under Ralph Nwosu.

The ADC described the ruling as a travesty of justice and vowed to challenge it on appeal. In a statement, the party alleged that the APC was behind the suit as part of a wider plot to decimate opposition political parties before the general elections.

ADC vows to appeal judgment voiding Atiku candidacy

The ADC said it has instructed its legal team to file an appeal immediately. The party argued that the judgment, which also sacked all its candidates, was aimed at derailing its preparations for the forthcoming elections.

According to Channels Television, the ADC accused the APC of desperation to cripple the opposition, saying the ruling was a clear case of abuse of court process. The party insisted that Atiku remains its presidential candidate and that the judgment would not stand.

Atiku calls ruling attempt to derail 'national movement'

Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate of the ADC, has dismissed the ruling voiding his candidacy as an attempt to derail a national movement. In a statement, Atiku said the judgment was a temporary setback and that he would appeal it.

He described the ruling as an attempt to derail his national movement and urged his supporters to remain calm. Atiku also vowed to appeal the judgment nullifying the Mark-led ADC leadership.

Premium Times Nigeria reported that the court nullified Atiku's candidacy and sacked all ADC candidates and the party leadership. The ruling has thrown the ADC into a leadership crisis, with the court recognizing a faction led by Mark as the authentic leadership.

Implications for opposition politics

The judgment has significant implications for the opposition in Nigeria. With Atiku's candidacy voided, questions have arisen about the fate of the ADC and its candidates across the country.

TheCable reported that the ruling could benefit other opposition candidates, particularly Peter Obi of the Labour Party, as it may alter the political landscape. However, the ADC has vowed to fight the judgment, which it believes is part of a larger scheme to weaken the opposition.

The APC has not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also not commented on the ruling.

Legal battle ahead

The ADC's appeal is expected to be filed at the Court of Appeal, where the party hopes to overturn the judgment. Legal experts say the case could drag on, potentially affecting the party's campaign.

The judgment is the latest in a series of legal battles involving political parties ahead of the elections. It remains to be seen how the appeal will unfold and what it means for the ADC's participation in the polls.

The ADC has called on its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues all legal avenues to overturn the judgment.