The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidating former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate. The party says it will challenge the ruling through available legal channels.
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The ADC described the judgment as a threat to democracy, saying its implications could affect thousands of party members seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections. The party’s claims about the ruling and its timing are allegations by the ADC.
Key Highlights
- ADC says it will challenge the Federal High Court judgment affecting David Mark-led leadership.
- The ruling also invalidated Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
- The party warned the decision could affect candidates across the country.
- ADC cited a July 2, 2026 judgment it says recognised the Mark-led National Working Committee.
- The party said it was awaiting a Certified True Copy of the latest judgment to assess its terms.
- ADC urged members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
ADC to Challenge Federal High Court Judgment
In a statement issued on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would explore every available legal option to challenge the judgment.
The statement, titled “Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire,” argued that the ruling could undermine the political rights of ADC members and supporters nationwide.
The party said the judgment came shortly after what it described as a large show of public support for the ADC and its promise to make life more affordable for Nigerians.
“Yesterday, Nigerians came out in their hundreds of thousands to demonstrate their support for the ADC and our promise of making life affordable for them. Today, they are being told that the party that they support and the candidates that they have supported at all levels could be erased by the stroke of a reckless judicial pen,” the party said.
The ADC questioned the timing of the judgment and said its consequences could extend beyond Atiku and Mark to thousands of Nigerians seeking to participate in the 2027 electoral process.
ADC Cites Earlier Judgment Recognising David Mark-Led Leadership
The party questioned the legal basis of the latest ruling, citing an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026.
The ADC said the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025 affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
“Our objection is particularly anchored on the subsisting judgment of Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, delivered on 2 July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led NWC and directed INEC to recognise the leadership,” the statement said.
The party argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not overturn the decision of another court of equal jurisdiction. It said it rejected consequential orders arising from what it called a legally flawed decision.
However, the ADC said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the latest judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and operative orders before taking further legal steps.
ADC Accuses APC of Undermining Opposition
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition parties through judicial processes. The claims are the party’s allegations and have not been established as findings of the court.
“We have seen this script before. When they are scared that the opposition is gathering steam, they use their judges in the courts to influence legally indefensible judgments,” the party alleged.
The opposition party said attempts to weaken political competition could affect Nigeria’s democratic stability and argued that national peace and stability should take precedence over the political ambitions of any individual or party.
“The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party. Nobody should be so desperate to retain power that they are prepared to put the entire country at risk,” the statement added.
The ADC also questioned why an administration confident in its performance would fear electoral competition.
ADC Appeals for Calm Among Members
The party called on the judiciary to protect democratic institutions and ensure political competition is not undermined through court proceedings. It said the controversy went beyond the leadership of the ADC or Atiku’s presidential ambition and could affect the wider democratic process.
“This is not just about the ADC or Atiku Abubakar; it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” the statement said.
The ADC urged members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues available legal processes. The ruling has placed the party’s leadership structure and preparations for the 2027 general elections under further uncertainty.
Read also:
- BREAKING: Court Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 ADC Presidential Candidacy, Sacks David Mark-Led Leadership
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