…Accuses APC of using court ruling to weaken opposition
…Links judgment to party’s Sokoto rally, alleges ruling party panic
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which it said purportedly removed the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and invalidated the candidacy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The opposition party described the ruling as a politically motivated attempt to weaken opposition parties and undermine Nigerians’ right to freely choose their leaders in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Thursday, its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the timing of the judgment, coming barely 24 hours after the party’s presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, raised questions about the motive behind the ruling.
The ADC claimed that the massive turnout at the rally demonstrated growing support for the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and may have triggered panic within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We have reasons to believe that the judgment had long been written on this case. The Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery,” the party alleged.
The ADC warned that the implications of the judgment could extend beyond its presidential ticket and affect thousands of candidates seeking elective positions at the local, state and federal levels.
“Do these people understand what they are playing with? This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark. It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders. It is about the rights of thousands of candidates to participate in a democratic process,” it said.
The party also questioned the legal basis of the ruling, citing an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to the ADC, the earlier judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
It argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify a subsisting judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.
“The ADC, therefore, rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard these fundamental legal principles,” the statement added.
The party, however, said it would await the Certified True Copy of the judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and operative orders before deciding on further legal steps.
It accused the APC of using legal controversies to frustrate opposition parties whenever they appeared to be gaining political momentum.
“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 ADC maintained that Nigerians facing economic hardship would ultimately determine the country’s political direction through the ballot box.
It warned against what it described as efforts to eliminate political competition through judicial processes, saying such moves could threaten democratic stability.
“We warn the APC: do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” it said.
The party also challenged the APC to subject itself to free and fair elections if it was confident in its performance and the popularity of its candidates.
It urged the judiciary to protect its independence and resist any attempt to use the courts to restrict political competition.
The ADC called on its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that it would explore every available legal avenue to challenge the judgment.
It reaffirmed its commitment to democratic participation and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in protecting their right to freely elect their leaders.
