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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against actions that could threaten Nigeria’s peace and stability in its bid to retain power in the 2027 general elections.
The opposition party accused the ruling party of using the judiciary to weaken political opponents and undermine democratic competition following a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the leadership of its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and actions taken by his committee.
The judgment also affected the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC questioned the timing of the judgment, which came barely 24 hours after Atiku’s campaign rally in Sokoto State.
The party alleged that the ruling had been prepared earlier and that the Sokoto rally triggered its delivery.
“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,” Abdullahi alleged.
The ADC said the dispute went beyond the political interests of Mark and Atiku, arguing that the judgment could affect the rights of thousands of its candidates seeking elective offices across the country.
“Do these people understand what they are playing with? This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark. It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders. It is about the rights of thousands of candidates to participate in a democratic process,” the statement said.
To challenge the judgment, the party cited an earlier ruling delivered on July 2, 2026, by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ADC said the earlier judgment, delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee 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 a subsisting judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.
“The ADC, therefore, rejects any consequential orders founded on a determination that appears to disregard these fundamental legal principles. However, we await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the said judgment to ascertain its precise terms, scope and operative orders,” Abdullahi stated.
The party accused the APC of repeatedly using judicial controversies to frustrate opposition parties whenever they gain political momentum.
It warned that political ambition should not be allowed to undermine national 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. Nobody should be so desperate to retain power that they are prepared to put the entire country at risk,” the party said.
The ADC also challenged President Bola Tinubu and the APC to submit themselves to a competitive election, questioning why a government confident in its performance would fear opposition.
“If the President thinks he has performed well in office, why is he afraid of competition? If the APC thinks that its policies and candidates are popular, why don’t they subject themselves to free and fair elections?” Abdullahi asked.
The party further appealed to the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to undermine democracy, insisting that the controversy had implications beyond the ADC and its presidential candidate.
It urged its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues available legal remedies.
