Court Judgment On Mark, Atiku: Don’t Set Nigeria On Fire, ADC Warns APC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against actions capable of threatening Nigeria’s peace and democratic stability following a Federal High Court judgment affecting the party’s leadership and the political interests of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The ADC, in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as an attempt to undermine opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party alleged that the timing of the judgment, coming barely 24 hours after its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, suggested that the ruling APC was becoming uncomfortable with its growing political influence.

According to the ADC, the judgment, which it said purportedly affected the Senator David Mark-led leadership and Atiku’s political interests, could have far-reaching implications for thousands of its candidates seeking elective positions across the country.

The party said the matter went beyond the political fortunes of Atiku and David Mark, arguing that it concerned the democratic rights of Nigerians and the ability of political parties and their candidates to participate in elections.

“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 said.

The ADC also challenged the legal basis of the judgment, citing an earlier ruling delivered on July 2, 2026, by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

It maintained that the earlier judgment 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 party argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction lacked the authority to sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.

It, however, said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the latest judgment to determine its precise terms, scope and consequential orders.

The ADC vowed to challenge the judgment through all available judicial channels, while warning against what it described as attempts to eliminate political competition through judicial controversies.

The opposition party further cautioned the APC against actions capable of threatening the country’s peace and democratic stability, insisting that political power should be determined through free and fair elections rather than judicial disputes.

It also called on the judiciary to resist attempts by political interests to influence its decisions, urging Nigerians to defend democratic principles.

The ADC, however, appealed to its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the party pursues legal remedies.