ADC Accuses APC Of Endangering Nigeria’s Stability After Court Sacks David Mark, Nullifies Atiku’s Candidacy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of threatening Nigeria’s democratic stability following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that nullified the leadership of Senator David Mark and invalidated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party, in a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the ruling as a desperate attempt to weaken opposition forces and undermine Nigerians’ democratic right to choose their leaders.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, came barely 24 hours after the ADC held a presidential campaign rally in Sokoto State, an event the party claimed attracted massive support from residents.

The ADC alleged that the timing of the ruling raised serious questions about the intentions behind the legal proceedings, suggesting that the Sokoto rally may have triggered what it described as an attempt to frustrate its growing political influence.

“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 party stated.

The ADC further warned that the implications of the judgment extended beyond the political ambitions of Atiku and Mark, arguing that it could affect thousands of candidates seeking elective positions at local, state and federal levels.

According to the party, the decision raises fundamental concerns about the rights of political parties to organise, nominate candidates and participate in elections without undue interference.

“This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark. It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders,” the statement added.

Court nullifies ADC leadership, Atiku’s nomination

The Federal High Court ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former national deputy chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership emerged.

Justice Lifu reportedly set aside the processes that produced the party’s leadership and invalidated decisions taken under it, including the primary election that produced Atiku as the ADC’s presidential candidate.

The ruling also raised fresh uncertainty over the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s earlier publication of Atiku’s name as its presidential candidate.

Atiku had subsequently selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

ADC vows to challenge judgment

The opposition party rejected the ruling, describing it as legally indefensible and announcing plans to challenge it through available judicial channels.

The ADC said its objection was partly anchored on an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, which it maintained had affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee.

The party argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not review, vary or nullify a subsisting judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.

However, the ADC said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of Justice Lifu’s judgment to establish the precise terms, scope and consequential orders before determining its next legal steps.

Party warns against political destabilisation

The ADC accused the APC of allegedly exploiting judicial controversies to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that attempts to undermine political competition could threaten national stability.

The party challenged the ruling APC to demonstrate confidence in its performance by allowing Nigerians to freely decide their political future through credible elections.

It also called on the judiciary to safeguard its independence and resist any attempt to use the courts to undermine democratic competition.

“The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” the ADC stated.

The party urged its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues legal remedies against the judgment.

The APC’s response to the latest allegations was not contained in the reports reviewed by The Analyst Online Media as of publication time.

The judgment and the ADC’s planned appeal are expected to have significant implications for the party’s leadership dispute and its participation in the 2027 general elections.

The Analyst Online Media