By Paul Joseph
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using judicial controversies to weaken opposition politics, warning that the Federal High Court judgment nullifying its leadership structure and the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
The opposition party also cautioned that attempts to restrict political competition could threaten national peace and stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja as an attempt to weaken the opposition and limit Nigerians’ freedom to choose their leaders.
The party linked the timing of the judgment to its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto on Wednesday, alleging that the large turnout at the event had unsettled the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdullahi claimed that the judgment had been prepared earlier but was delivered following the ADC’s demonstration of political support in Sokoto.
The party insisted that the ruling extended beyond the political fortunes of Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, arguing that it could affect thousands of its candidates contesting elective positions at the local, state and federal levels.
Questioning the legal basis of the judgment, the ADC cited an earlier ruling 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 party, the earlier judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
It argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the decision of another court of equal jurisdiction.
However, the ADC said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Thursday’s judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and consequential orders.
Abdullahi said the party would challenge the ruling through every available judicial process, insisting that it would resist any attempt to weaken opposition politics.
The ADC also warned the APC against pursuing actions that could endanger national stability, stressing that political ambition should not take precedence over Nigeria’s peace and democratic institutions.
“Nobody should be so desperate to retain power that they are prepared to put the entire country at risk,” the statement said.
The party further challenged the APC to submit itself to a free and fair electoral process if it believed its policies and candidates enjoyed widespread public support.
It also called on the judiciary to resist any attempt to use the courts to undermine democratic competition, while urging its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues legal remedies.
Thursday’s judgment by Justice Lifu nullified the processes that produced the David Mark-led ADC leadership and cancelled the nominations of candidates who emerged under the disputed party structure.
The ADC maintained that it would continue to pursue all available legal options, insisting that the dispute raises wider concerns about democratic participation, the rule of law and political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
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