By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to destabilise Nigeria by using judicial processes to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party made the allegation while reacting to a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which it said purportedly invalidated the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday, the ADC described the judgment as a desperate attempt to undermine the opposition and deny Nigerians their democratic right to choose their leaders.
The party questioned the timing of the judgment, which came barely 24 hours after its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, claiming that the massive turnout had unsettled the ruling party.
“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 warned that the judgment could affect thousands of its candidates contesting elections at local government, state and federal levels, insisting that the issue extended beyond Atiku Abubakar and David Mark.
On the legal implications, the party cited 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 NWC and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
It argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.
The party, however, said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of Justice Lifu’s judgment to determine its precise terms and consequential orders before pursuing further legal action.
The opposition party also warned the APC against attempts to eliminate political competition through judicial controversies, saying such actions could threaten national peace and democratic stability.
“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,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC called on the judiciary to uphold its independence and resist attempts to undermine democracy, while urging its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues all available legal remedies.
