The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition through judicial intervention following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying its leadership structure and the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.
The opposition party alleged that the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja on Thursday was part of a broader attempt to frustrate its growing political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday, November 5, the ADC linked the timing of the ruling to the large turnout at its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto on Wednesday, describing the development as evidence of the APC’s growing apprehension.
The statement, titled Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire, alleged that the ruling party was uncomfortable with the opposition’s increasing support.
“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.
“Yesterday, Nigerians came out in their hundreds of thousands to demonstrate their support for the ADC and our promise of making life affordable for them.
“Today, they are being told that the party that they support and the candidates that they have supported at all levels could be erased by the stroke of a reckless judicial pen,” the party said.
The ADC argued that the judgment extended beyond the political fortunes of Atiku and former Senate President David Mark, warning that its consequences could affect thousands of its candidates seeking elective positions across the country.
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“Do these people understand what they are playing with? This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark.
“It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders. It is about the rights of thousands of candidates to participate in a democratic process,” it added.
Challenging the legal basis of the ruling, the party cited an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
According to the ADC, 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 maintained that Justice Lifu could not invalidate a decision previously reached by a court of coordinate jurisdiction, arguing that such an action contradicted established legal principles.
It said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Thursday’s judgment to establish its exact scope and operative orders, while promising to challenge the ruling through all available legal channels.
The ADC also warned against what it described as attempts to eliminate political competition through judicial controversies.
“We warn the APC: do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party.
“Nobody should be so desperate to retain power that they are prepared to put the entire country at risk,” the statement said.
The party further called on the judiciary to resist attempts to use the courts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that the dispute had implications beyond its leadership and presidential candidate.
It urged members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding as it pursues legal remedies against the judgment.