ADC Accuses APC of Using Judiciary to Weaken Opposition, Warns Against Threat to Nigeria’s Stability

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition through judicial controversies, following a judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, concerning the party’s leadership and the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The party described the judgment, which it said purported to sack the Senator David Mark-led leadership and invalidate Atiku’s candidacy, as a desperate attempt to undermine opposition politics and deny Nigerians the right to freely choose their leaders in the forthcoming general elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC linked the timing of the judgment to the massive turnout at its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, which took place barely 24 hours earlier.

The party alleged that the ruling was long anticipated but was hastened by the successful rally, which it said demonstrated growing public support for its political platform and campaign promises.

According to the statement, the judgment raises serious concerns about the democratic rights of thousands of ADC candidates contesting elections at local, state and federal levels.

The party argued that the dispute was not merely about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark but about the right of Nigerians to participate in a democratic process and freely elect their representatives.

The ADC also questioned the legal basis of the judgment, citing an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, 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 could not review, vary or nullify a subsisting judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.

However, it said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the latest judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and consequential orders before taking further legal steps.

The ADC vowed to challenge the judgment through all available judicial processes, insisting that it was legally indefensible.

The party further accused the APC of resorting to the courts whenever it perceived the opposition as gaining political momentum, alleging that such actions could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and the country’s democratic institutions.

Warning against what it described as an attempt to eliminate political competition, the ADC cautioned the ruling party against actions capable of threatening national peace and stability.

It said Nigeria’s stability was more important than the political ambitions of any individual or party, adding that no administration should be so desperate to retain power that it puts the country at risk.

The party also challenged President Bola Tinubu and the APC to demonstrate confidence in their performance by allowing a free and fair electoral contest rather than allegedly seeking to weaken opposition parties.

The ADC called on the judiciary to remain independent and resist any attempt to use the courts to undermine democratic institutions or impose what it described as dictatorship on Nigerians.