The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of its National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark, insisting that Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, remain the party’s recognised leaders.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, declared the Mark-led leadership illegal and invalidated its actions, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and Aregbesola emerged as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Gombe had argued that he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
The court upheld his claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively throwing the party’s leadership structure and presidential ticket into uncertainty.
However, the ADC rejected the decision, announcing plans to approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment.
The development has generated reactions across the political landscape, with Atiku accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition, while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the judgment as justice well served.
Atiku, through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, questioned the timing of the ruling, which came barely a day after his campaign rally in Sokoto State.
He alleged that the decision was intended to disrupt the ADC’s growing political influence and weaken his support base ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Despite the development, the former vice-president maintained that the ruling would not derail his presidential ambition or the party’s campaign.
He also questioned why the leadership dispute was being reopened despite an earlier judgment by Justice Musa Liman of the same court, which he said had addressed the matter.
Meanwhile, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council insisted that the latest judgment could not override the earlier decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
The council, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the party’s legal team was already taking steps to obtain appropriate interim relief and appeal the ruling.
National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, also accused the APC of using the judiciary to undermine opposition parties, warning that the dispute went beyond the political interests of Atiku and Mark.
On his part, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, urged the judiciary and Nigerians to protect democratic principles.
Obi said although he respected the authority of the courts, uncertainty surrounding political parties and their candidates close to an election could undermine the electoral process.
However, Keyamo defended the judgment, arguing that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership did not follow the required party procedures.
He dismissed allegations of political interference, maintaining that court decisions should be determined by facts and evidence rather than sentiments.
The Coalition of United Political Parties also condemned the ruling, alleging that it formed part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and impose a one-party system in Nigeria.
Similarly, the NDC senatorial candidate for Kogi East, Peter Ameh, cautioned opposition politicians against allowing internal divisions to benefit the APC.
He warned that political disagreements among opposition parties could weaken their collective ability to participate effectively in the 2027 elections.
