The African Democratic Congress has rejected the Federal High Court decision that nullified the leadership of its National Working Committee. This committee is led by former Senate President David Mark. The court also invalidated the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
The party plans to challenge the judgment through all legal avenues. They argue that the ruling raises concerns about the political rights of their members and candidates as the general elections approach.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, shared this in a statement on Thursday. He also questioned the timing of the judgment, saying it came as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 elections.
In the statement titled, ‘Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire’, the ADC expressed that the ruling could impact thousands of their candidates running for positions across Nigeria.
It stated, “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 ADC emphasized that this issue goes beyond Atiku and Mark. They believe the judgment affects their members' participation in the electoral process.
“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,” the party added.
The ADC also criticized the ruling, pointing to an earlier decision by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja. This earlier ruling was delivered on July 2, 2026, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
The party said this earlier judgment confirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee. It also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize the committee's leadership.
The ADC argued that a court of the same level cannot review or overturn another court's decision.
The statement read, “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 recognize the leadership.
“It is a settled principle of Nigerian law that a court of the same level cannot sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.”
The party maintained its rejection of the ruling. It will not accept any orders that arise from what it calls a flawed decision.
“The ADC, therefore, rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard these fundamental legal principles,” Abdullahi said.
The party is waiting for the Certified True Copy of the latest judgment to understand its specific terms and the court's orders.
“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 statement continued.
It added, “The ADC, therefore, rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard these fundamental legal principles. However, we await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the said judgment to ascertain its precise terms, scope and operative orders.”
The ADC called on the judiciary to uphold democratic principles. They urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to allow political competition before the next general elections.
The statement said, “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.
“Nigeria belongs to Nigerians, not to the APC. The presidency is not an inheritance. If the President thinks he has performed well in office, why is he afraid of competition?”
The ADC also urged the judiciary not to let itself be used to undermine democratic processes. They said the dispute has implications beyond their party.
“This is not just about the ADC or Atiku Abubakar; it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” the party said.
They appealed to their members nationwide to stay calm and law-abiding while they pursue all legal means to address the situation.
PUNCH Online reported that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the Mark-led ADC on Thursday. This decision invalidated all actions taken by the party under this leadership, including the process that made Atiku its presidential candidate.
The judgment followed a suit by a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe. He challenged how Mark and the caretaker committee took control of the party.
Justice Lifu held that the Mark-led leadership violated the party’s constitution, relevant parts of the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.
The court also instructed INEC not to recognize or act on decisions made at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting on July 27, 2025.
The plaintiff's counsel, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), stated that the ruling nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership since July 2025.
Another counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the decision left the party without candidates for the 2027 presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇