The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday rejected a Federal High Court judgment sacking the David Mark-led leadership and invalidating the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar, describing it as a desperate attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cripple the opposition.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, came barely 24 hours after a massive turnout at its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto.
“We have reasons to believe that the judgment had long been written on this case,” the party said, adding that the rally “was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery.”
The ADC said the ruling is legally indefensible. It pointed to a 2 July 2026 judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which affirmed the Mark-led National Working Committee and directed INEC to recognise it.
“It is a 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 party said.
It said it would pursue the matter through every available judicial process, while awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to ascertain its terms and operative orders.
The party warned that the ruling threatens far more than its presidential ticket. Invalidating its leadership, it said, could affect thousands of candidates contesting at local, state and federal levels.
“This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark,” the ADC said. “It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders.”
The party cautioned the APC against what it called a dangerous bid to eliminate political competition through the courts. “Do not play with fires you cannot control,” it said, adding that the peace and stability of Nigeria were bigger than the ambition of any president or party.
It also challenged the ruling party to face voters. “If the APC thinks that its policies and candidates are popular, why don’t they subject themselves to free and fair elections?” it asked.
The ADC called on the judiciary not to allow itself to be used in foisting a dictatorship on Nigeria, and urged its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues legal remedies.