Atiku Abubakar may appear on Nigeria's presidential ballot after court ruling

The ADC, described as the most powerful opposition to President Tinubu, is facing uncertainty after a high court ruling on Thursday that could affect hundreds of its candidates and raise questions about who has authority to represent the party. Several influential politicians opposed to the ruling All Progressives Congress have already defected to the ADC. Atiku Abubakar, 79, who is running for the presidency for a seventh time, says the matter will be resolved and asks his supporters not to be distracted.

"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," the veteran candidate said.

Peter Obi, the 65-year‑old candidate appearing on the ballot for a second time, said he was shocked by Thursday's high court ruling. He posted a statement on X with the heading "Do not undermine democracy". He added: "My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty." Obi, who briefly joined the ADC before leaving earlier this year for the Nigeria Democratic Congress because of the legal challenges, said: "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,".

The NDC's candidate said that, as president, he would ensure that the existence of opposition parties would be respected, calling the moment "This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive." Additional reporting was provided by Chris Ewokor in Abuja.