ATIKU SUPPORT GROUP PROTESTS ALLEGED DELAY IN RELEASE OF ADC JUDGMENT

A support group for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, United Friends for Atiku (UFFA), has protested the alleged delay in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the Sen. David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The group staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Federal High Court, calling on the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and prevent any action that could undermine opposition parties. The judgment, delivered on November 5, also affected the nomination of Atiku, the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The protesters later took their demonstration to the United Nations office and gave the relevant authorities 24 hours to release the document.

UFFA Coordinator, Audu Aliyu, said the ADC had resolved to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, adding that the party’s lawyers applied for the CTC and paid the required fees immediately after the ruling. He alleged that despite repeated visits to the court registry, the document had not been released as of Tuesday, while concerns had emerged over alleged pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act on the judgment.

In a petition addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the group argued that the delay was obstructing the party’s constitutional right to appeal. Citing Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it maintained that withholding the judgment from the affected party while it was allegedly being used to influence INEC raised concerns about fair hearing and access to justice.

The group urged the judiciary to direct the immediate release of the CTC and address the alleged delay. It said the petition was also copied to President Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council, Nigerian Bar Association, President of the Court of Appeal, ECOWAS, the United Nations, European Union and the United States Embassy. Aliyu reaffirmed the group’s confidence in the judiciary, saying the protest was intended to defend the rule of law and judicial independence.