# Atiku Abubakar Maintains Presidential Bid Despite Court Ruling Nigerian opposition leader vows to remain in the race after legal disqualification. - **Source:** [Le Monde – International](https://www.lemonde.fr/international) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/60bd94e3-bdbd-4c69-a5a6-202b3ac256c3 ## Opposition Leader Defies Ruling Atiku Abubakar, a prominent Nigerian opposition figure, officially confirmed his intention to remain in the upcoming presidential race. This announcement followed a Thursday court ruling in Abuja that invalidated his candidacy. The legal challenge stemmed from a broader court decision declaring the actions of his party's leadership as illegitimate. ## Legal Basis for Disqualification The Abuja court's decision centered on the internal legitimacy of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). By ruling that the party's leadership decisions were invalid, the court effectively jeopardized Abubakar's standing. The former vice-president is now seeking to overturn this judicial setback through a formal appeal process to ensure ballot access. ## Accusations Against Ruling Party Abubakar has publicly denounced the court ruling as a calculated manipulation orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He characterized the legal maneuver as an attempt to establish a one-party state. The opposition leader insists that President Bola Tinubu is using the judiciary to avoid facing voters at the polls. ## Government Party Denies Involvement The ruling APC party swiftly rejected Abubakar's allegations, labeling them as absurd conspiracy theories. In an official statement released on Friday, the party maintained that it has no role in the internal judicial disputes currently plaguing the ADC. They dismissed the accusations as baseless rhetoric intended to distract from internal party issues. ## Historical Context of Candidacy Atiku Abubakar is a seasoned political veteran currently pursuing the presidency for the seventh time. In the 2023 general election, he secured second place behind President Bola Tinubu, capturing 29 percent of the total vote. His persistent presence in Nigerian politics makes him a central figure in the current electoral landscape. ## Campaign Trail Continues Unabated Despite the legal turmoil, Abubakar continued his campaign activities, holding a rally in Kebbi State on Thursday afternoon. During the event, he refrained from addressing the court's decision directly, focusing instead on his platform. His campaign team remains committed to challenging the ruling to protect the democratic rights of Nigerian voters. ## Internal Party Turmoil The legal challenge highlights significant internal instability within the African Democratic Congress. The party is currently suffering from deep-seated factional conflicts that have now spilled over into the national judicial system. These internal struggles are complicating the opposition's ability to present a unified front against the incumbent government in January. ## Implications for Nigerian Democracy The ongoing legal battle underscores the high stakes of the upcoming presidential election. As the judiciary becomes a focal point for political disputes, the integrity of the electoral process remains a primary concern for the public. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the opposition can effectively challenge the incumbent administration. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/11/06/nigeria-atiku-abubakar-maintient-sa-candidature-a-la-presidentielle-malgre-l-annulation-par-la-justice_6807809_3212.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._