BY VICTOR BUORO – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a blistering counter-offensive against what it terms a calculated assault on Nigeria’s democracy, instantly rejecting the Federal High Court in Abuja’s ruling nullifying the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.
Describing the judgement as a desperate attempt to cripple political opposition and deny Nigerians the fundamental right to choose their leaders in the forthcoming general elections, the opposition party linked the timing of the judgement to the roaring success of its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, which had passionate supporters and well-wishers attending in hundreds of thousands.
A statement issued in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the hostile judgement had long been written, while the massive, undeniable momentum of the Sokoto rally simply triggered its delivery.
Abdullahi, who pointed to a deeper, more calculated conspiracy behind the legal blow, said the judgement, if allowed to stand, could affect thousands of its candidates contesting elections at the local, state and federal levels.
According to him, the party’s objection was based on an earlier judgement delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, which affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee and directed INEC to recognise the leadership
Further arguing that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over a subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction, the ADC said the judgement would be challenged through every available judicial process while awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) to ascertain its precise terms.
The party urged its members across the country to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues all legal means to address the situation, insisting that hundreds of thousands of passionate supporters who flooded the streets in Sokoto were indications of the massive rejection which the ruling party would suffer come 2027.
Atiku Kicks, Exposes APC’s Plots To Destablise ADC
Reacting to the Court ruling, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a post on X, questioned the timing of the judgement, describing it as an attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his presidential ambition.
This is as he also said that it is curious the ruling came barely a day after a large crowd welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of his presidential campaign.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said the rally demonstrated support for his campaign beyond the Northern region.
Maintaining that his presidential ambition was national, Atiku said the current economic hardship is affecting Nigerians irrespective of their geographical location, adding: “My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries.”
Atiku, who sharply questioned the legal grounding of the verdict, pointed out that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had already thrown out a similar challenge to the David Mark-led leadership in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to the former Vice-President, that definitive earlier ruling had thoroughly settled the core arguments regarding court jurisdiction, legal standing, and the requirement to exhaust internal party remedies first.
Condemning the fresh litigation as a blatant attempt to litigate a settled matter, Atiku said the party would immediately fight the judgement at the Court of Appeal and slammed the new proceedings as an illegitimate effort to reopen a case already closed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The ADC presidential flag-bearer urged the party supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not disrupt the party’s campaign activities, even as the campaign train moved to Kebbi State and would continue its activities across the country.
Also, while reaffirming his commitment to the ADC’s Affordable Life campaign, Atiku said the package is meant to address the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
