The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) against using the judiciary to undermine democratic competition and cripple the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. This warning comes after a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that the party claims threatens its leadership and the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The ADC argues that the implications of the judgment extend beyond its leadership, potentially affecting thousands of candidates seeking elective offices across the country.
The ADC linked the timing of the judgment by Justice Peter Lifu, which was delivered barely 24 hours after its massive presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, to what it described as the APC’s growing desperation over the opposition’s rising political profile. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the judgment had long been written on the case and that the Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery.
The ADC warned that the dispute was not merely about the political fortunes of Senator David Mark or Atiku, but the right of its candidates to participate in the 2027 elections. The party emphasized that the issue at stake is the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders and the rights of thousands of candidates to participate in a democratic process.
To challenge the judgment, the ADC cited an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, delivered on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025. This earlier ruling affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the leadership.
The ADC accused the APC of repeating a familiar pattern of using judicial controversies to frustrate opposition whenever it gains political momentum. The party warned the APC that the struggle to retain power must not come at the expense of national stability.
The ADC called on President Bola Tinubu and the APC to face the electorate, questioning why a government confident in its performance and popularity would fear a competitive election. The party urged the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to foist dictatorship on Nigeria, insisting that the controversy was bigger than the ADC or Atiku.
The party urged its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues all available legal remedies. The ADC emphasized that it rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard fundamental legal principles and that it awaits the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the said judgment to ascertain its precise terms, scope, and operative orders.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress warns the All Progressives Congress against using courts to undermine democratic competition ahead of 2027 elections.
- The warning comes after a Federal High Court judgment that the ADC claims threatens its leadership and the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
- The ADC accuses the APC of using judicial controversies to frustrate opposition whenever it gains political momentum.
