The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.
In a statement in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgement as an attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders in the forthcoming general election.
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Mallam Abdullahi linked the timing of the judgement to the party’s presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, which he said attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters.
According to him, the judgement had long been written, while the Sokoto rally only triggered its delivery.
The ADC warned that the judgement, if allowed to stand, could affect thousands of its candidates contesting elections at the local, state and federal levels.
The party said its 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.
The ADC argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over a subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.
It said it would challenge the judgement through every available judicial process while awaiting the Certified True Copy 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.
Atiku accuses ruling party of plot to weaken ADC
Similarly, 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.
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Atiku noted that the ruling came barely a day after a large crowd welcomed him in Sokoto during the launch of his campaign.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the rally demonstrated support for his campaign beyond the Northern region.
He maintained that his presidential ambition was national, stressing that economic hardship affected Nigerians irrespective of their geographical location.
Atiku said, “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.”
The former Vice-President also questioned the legal basis of the judgement, noting that Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court had earlier dismissed a challenge to the David Mark-led leadership of the party in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
He said the earlier ruling had addressed issues of jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
Atiku described the fresh proceedings as an attempt to reopen a matter already decided by a court and said the party would challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal.
He urged ADC supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, insisting that the court ruling would not disrupt the party’s campaign activities.
Atiku said the campaign train had moved to Kebbi State and would continue its activities across the country.
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He also reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC’s Affordable Life campaign, which he said was aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
FRCN