The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denounced a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the party leadership led by Senator David Mark and voided decisions taken under it, including Atiku Abubakar’s nomination as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja as “another desperate attempt” to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders.
The statement, titled “Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire,” accuses the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the courts to weaken the opposition.
The ADC said the timing of the ruling—less than a day after its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto—suggested that the rally had alarmed the ruling party.
The party claimed that supporters had turned out in large numbers in Sokoto to back the ADC and its promise to make life more affordable.
It alleged that the court decision then placed the party, its presidential nominee and candidates at all levels at risk of being removed from the electoral process.
Those accusations are the ADC’s interpretation of events.
The statement does not provide evidence that the APC influenced the judgment or its timing, and the court’s decision should be assessed on its written reasoning and any subsequent appeal.
ADC challenges ruling’s relationship to earlier judgment
A central part of the ADC’s objection is its claim that Justice Lifu’s decision conflicts with an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court.
On July 2, 2026, Justice Liman dismissed a suit by lawmaker Leke Abejide that challenged the ADC leadership transition.
The judge held the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the dispute, which concerned a political party’s internal affairs, and that Abejide lacked standing to bring the case.
The ADC describes the July decision as affirming the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize it.
The news report on that ruling says the court dismissed Abejide’s suit; the precise terms of the court order should be confirmed from the judgment itself.
The party argues that a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot review or set aside a judgment made by another court of equal standing.
It says this makes the November 5 decision legally indefensible and that it will challenge the judgment through every available judicial process.
The ADC also said it was waiting for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of Justice Lifu’s judgment before determining the exact scope and operative effect of the orders.
That qualification means the party’s full response may depend on what the written judgment says.
Party warns of consequences for candidates and voters
The ADC said the ruling could have consequences beyond Atiku Abubakar and David Mark.
According to the statement, invalidating actions taken by the party leadership could affect ADC candidates contesting elections at local, state and federal levels.
The party framed the dispute as one about voters’ and candidates’ democratic rights, not only the leadership of the ADC.
It said Nigerians should be able to choose their leaders and that thousands of candidates should be allowed to participate in the electoral process.
The court ruling is the latest development in a broader dispute over the ADC’s leadership.
In October, Premium Times reported that several court cases and decisions had left open questions about the party’s leadership and the implications for its election preparations.
The ADC’s statement also accused the APC of using judicial controversies to reduce political competition.
It warned that efforts to remove an opposition party from the electoral process could threaten national stability.
It also stressed that Nigeria’s peace should take precedence over the ambitions of any political party or officeholder.
The statement challenged the APC to face opposition candidates in free and fair elections, arguing that a popular government should not fear political competition.
It also urged the judiciary to protect its independence and resist any attempt to use the courts to impose what the ADC called a dictatorship.
The party called on members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues its appeal.
It said the dispute was “not just about the ADC or Atiku Abubakar,” but about the rights of Nigerians to choose their leaders through elections.
