ADC judgment: NDC warns judiciary against scuttling opposition

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against actions capable of weakening opposition parties and undermining multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was in reaction to the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said the judgment risked creating the impression that the courts were being used to frustrate opposition parties and weaken democratic competition.

It expressed concern over what it described as the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered, suggesting a deliberate attempt to shut the ADC out of the 2027 general elections.

“The way some of these judgments are being churned out, especially from the High Courts, suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement said.

The party warned that such a development would further threaten multi-party democracy in the country, which it said was already under pressure under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of President Bola Tinubu.

“This would amount to further shrinking the chances of multi-party democracy, which is already under a big threat under the APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” it added.

“While we respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, we are concerned that judgments of this nature, if not carefully handled, risk creating the impression that the courts are being used to scuttle democracy and weaken opposition,” it stated.

The party called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay and urged the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to resolve the leadership dispute before the 2027 general elections.

It said prolonged uncertainty over the party’s leadership could undermine democratic participation, given the approaching election timetable.