Nigeria's judiciary must safeguard the nation's democratic system, rather than taking sides with the APC, according to Atiku.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his faith in the judiciary, describing it as the 'last hope of the common man' that can save Nigeria's democracy. He made this statement in an X post on Tuesday, in response to a letter written by his party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

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The ADC, a coalition of prominent opposition figures in the country, sent the letter to demand a swift judgment in the leadership crisis that threatens its political fortunes, warning that without a verdict from the Supreme Court within the next three days, the party risks being excluded from the 2027 general elections.

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The letter, dated April 28, was written by the Senator David Mark-led faction of the ADC and highlighted the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasizing the need for a timely judgment to ensure the party's participation in the elections.

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The ADC cautioned that its exclusion from the elections would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians, as its ability to participate hinges on the apex court's judgment in the appeal, which is currently pending.

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Atiku Abubakar claimed that Nigeria's democracy is under threat from the All Progressives Congress (APC), but reiterated his trust in the judiciary, stating that he does not believe it would support any efforts to undermine the country's democratic foundations.

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In his X post, Atiku wrote that Nigeria's democracy and the integrity of the 2027 general elections are in jeopardy, with democracy facing an existential threat, but expressed his hope that the judiciary would uphold its role as the last hope of the common man.

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A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, reserved judgment in the ADC's leadership crisis on April 22, after hearing from all parties in the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026, which was filed by Senator Mark.

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Senator Mark's appeal seeks to set aside a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment, which he argues was against the interest of justice, and contends that the dispute is a domestic affair of a political party, in which courts lack jurisdiction to intervene.