The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has rejected a Federal High Court judgment sacking the National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark, insisting that Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, remain the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The party has announced plans to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, describing the ruling as inconsistent with an earlier court decision which affirmed the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had declared the Mark-led leadership illegal and nullified its actions, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the party, who challenged the process through which Mark and Aregbesola emerged as party leaders.
Reacting, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of using the judiciary to weaken opposition parties and frustrate his presidential ambition. He, however, insisted that the judgment would not stop his campaign.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council also maintained that an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman had already settled the leadership dispute in favour of Mark and Aregbesola.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, urged the judiciary to protect democratic principles, warning that uncertainty surrounding political parties and candidates close to an election could undermine the electoral process.
However, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, welcomed the judgment, describing it as justice well served and insisting that the court acted on facts and evidence.
The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, condemned the ruling, alleging an attempt to weaken opposition parties and impose a one-party system on Nigeria.
The ADC has urged its members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that its campaign and preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election will continue.
