The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to cripple opposition parties through judicial controversies following a judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, affecting the leadership of the party and the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The ADC described the judgment, which purportedly sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership and invalidated Atiku’s candidacy, as a desperate attempt to undermine the opposition and deny Nigerians the opportunity to freely choose their leaders in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
The party also alleged that the timing of the judgment, coming barely 24 hours after its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, was suspicious and reflected growing panic within the ruling APC over the increasing support for the opposition.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the massive turnout at the Sokoto rally had demonstrated Nigerians’ support for the party and its promise to make life more affordable.
The party alleged that the rally might have triggered the delivery of a judgment it claimed had long been prepared.
“We have reasons to believe that the judgment had long been written on this case. The Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery,” the statement said.
The ADC questioned the implications of the judgment for Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that the dispute went beyond the political interests of Atiku Abubakar and David Mark to affect the rights of thousands of candidates seeking elective positions at the local, state and federal levels.
It maintained that any attempt to invalidate its leadership could create uncertainty for its candidates and supporters across the country.
The opposition party further described the judgment as legally indefensible, vowing to challenge it through all available judicial processes.
According to the statement, the party’s objection was anchored on an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which it said affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
The ADC argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.
It, however, disclosed that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the latest judgment to determine its precise terms, scope and consequential orders.
The party also accused the APC of resorting to judicial interventions whenever opposition parties appeared to be gaining political momentum.
“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,” it alleged.
The ADC warned the ruling party against what it described as an attempt to eliminate political competition through judicial controversies, stressing that the country’s peace and stability should not be sacrificed for political ambition.
It cautioned that the consequences of actions capable of undermining democratic institutions could extend beyond individual political parties.
“We warn the APC: do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” the statement added.
The party further challenged President Bola Tinubu and the APC to subject themselves to free and fair elections if they were confident in their performance and popularity.
It questioned why the ruling party would be apprehensive about political competition if Nigerians were satisfied with its policies and candidates.
“Nigeria belongs to Nigerians, not to the APC. The presidency is not an inheritance,” the ADC declared.
