Atiku Abubakar
The news follows November 5 judgment by Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.
Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has said that the certified true copy of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership dispute contains no mention of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or any other candidate.
Melaye made the disclosure on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, after the opposition party received the written judgment, ending days of controversy over its delayed release.
The former lawmaker challenged the interpretation of the ruling that had raised questions about Atiku’s presidential candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have just received the certified true copy of Justice Lifu’s judgement. Nowhere in the judgement is Atiku Abubakar’s name or any other candidate’s name mentioned,” Melaye wrote on X.
He then took aim at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“All the propaganda and lies of APC have expired. Atiku Abubakar is coming,” he declared.
The development follows a November 5 judgment by Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.
The court also invalidated decisions taken under the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ruling triggered uncertainty over Atiku’s political future, prompting the ADC to reject the decision and file an appeal.
However, the party subsequently accused the court of withholding the certified true copy of the judgment despite applications by its lawyers and payment of the required fees.
On Tuesday, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi alleged during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that Justice Lifu had disappeared with the judgment.
“We can’t even see the judgment. He needs to hand over the judgment to us so that we can head to the Court of Appeal. He disappeared with the judgment,” Amaechi said.
