Atiku's presidential ticket ruling raises legal questions on Arise

Ojy Okpe's panel examines conflicting court decisions as the ADC promises an appeal and Atiku continues campaigning.

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Arise News Story of November 7, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 187,440 views a day, 86 times a normal first day on this channel (2,192).

Atiku's Presidency Nullified +Keyamo Mocks Rig & Die +Wike: Obi, Atiku Have Nothing To Offer|OjyOkpe

Things we can learn from the video

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7:16The programme outlines the ruling affecting ADC leadership and Atiku's presidential ticket, alongside the party's planned challenge.
8:43Lawyer Luka Musa Haruna argues that the ruling leaves the ADC without valid candidates.
10:41Abati questions conflicting decisions by courts of equal standing; Vimbai asks for clarity on the judgment's substance.
19:28Atiku continues campaigning in Kebbi despite the legal uncertainty, promising to address insecurity and restore the fuel subsidy.
20:43Okpe reports Amnesty International's condemnation of attacks on opposition campaign convoys in Kebbi, Sokoto and Calabar.
34:44The police warn against voter intimidation, followed by studio discussion of election security.

A lawyer says the ADC has no valid candidates. In the studio, Dr Reuben Abati questions how a court can overturn a decision by another court of equal standing. Between those positions lies the uncertainty at the centre of Ojy Okpe's fast-starting Arise News broadcast.

The programme reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and Atiku Abubakar's presidential ticket. The ADC says it will appeal, while Atiku's name remains on the electoral commission's final list. Despite the video's shorthand title, this is a dispute over his candidacy, not the removal of a sitting president.

The upload drew roughly 134,000 views within 13 hours, far beyond the channel's usual opening pace. Separate Morning Show coverage of the ruling and an interview with ADC campaign spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan also attracted unusually large audiences.

The substance of the ruling matters more than the political declarations surrounding it. Lawyer Luka Musa Haruna tells the programme that the ADC has no candidate. Abati counters with a legal principle: "A court of equal jurisdiction cannot act as an appellate court." Fellow panellist Vimbai presses for clarity about what the judgment actually says and warns against inflammatory remarks.

That discussion follows footage of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dismissing Atiku and Peter Obi's electoral prospects. The programme also reports Amnesty International's condemnation of attacks on opposition campaign convoys, bringing questions of voter safety alongside those of legal certainty.

Atiku, meanwhile, is shown campaigning in Kebbi, where he asks supporters whether they want the fuel subsidy restored.