Nigerian high court voids opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar
Semafor · Alexander Onukwue ·
The move creates uncertainty with just 10 weeks to go until voters have their say in Africa’s biggest democratic exercise.
A Nigerian high court invalidated the candidacy of the leading challenger to President Bola Tinubu, creating uncertainty with just 10 weeks to go until voters have their say in Africa’s biggest democratic exercise. The judge ruled that former vice president and two-time presidential election runner-up Atiku Abubakar was not the legal candidate of the African Democratic Congress because he was elected in a primary process run by an illegitimate party leadership team.
Atiku’s camp, which accused Tinubu of seeking to avoid a fair contest over his record in office, plans to appeal the decision.
Campaigns in the oil-rich nation are in full swing, with both Tinubu and Atiku holding mega rallies in recent weeks. The president is touting his economic record resting on key changes including scrapping a costly fuel subsidy — growth is forecast to hit 4.2% this year. But opponents of Tinubu, who is seeking a second term, argue that life for ordinary Nigerians has not improved due to the fast-rising cost of living and widespread insecurity.