The David Mark-led African Democratic Congress, ADC, has described the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which nullified Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as its presidential candidate and sacked the leadership of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, as another desperate attempt to cripple the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The judgment comes a day after the party flagged off its presidential campaign in Sokoto State amid alleged clampdowns on the opposition.
In a statement, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi expressed disappointment over the timing of the judgment, alleging that the court’s position exposes the growing desperation of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Abdullahi alleged that the ruling party’s plans to deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders in the forthcoming general elections would further weaken the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
The opposition questioned whether those behind what it described as a flawed judgment had considered its far-reaching implications for the country. It warned that invalidating the party’s leadership could affect thousands of candidates contesting elections at the local, state and federal levels.
The ADC maintained that the judgment is legally indefensible and would be challenged through every available judicial process. It said its objection is particularly anchored on a subsisting judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on 2 July 2026, which affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee and directed INEC to recognise the leadership.
The national spokesperson argued that the latest ruling contravenes the settled principle of Nigerian jurisprudence that a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.
The ADC said it rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard these fundamental legal principles. However, it awaits the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgment to ascertain its precise terms, scope and operative orders.
The opposition warned the APC against pursuing what it described as a dangerous attempt to eliminate political competition through judicial controversies.
It urged members across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while the party pursues all legal means to address the situation.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
