The Nigeria Democratic Congress has warned the judiciary against being used to weaken opposition parties and undermine democracy following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress.
The party said judgments of such nature risk creating the impression that the courts were being used to scuttle democracy and weaken opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC stated this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Friday.
The party expressed concern over what it described as the manner in which some judgments, particularly those from High Courts, were being delivered, saying they suggested a deliberate effort to prevent the ADC from participating in the forthcoming general elections.
It said, The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts, suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means.
The NDC consequently cautioned the judiciary to protect its independence, impartiality and integrity, while urging the ADC to challenge the judgment at the appellate court without delay.
It also called on the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing of the appeal, citing the approaching 2027 general elections and the need to prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation.
The development followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, which nullified the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the ADC.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, violated the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged Mark’s leadership and argued that he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership in line with its constitution.
The court also nullified decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s 2027 presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate, and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise the affected decisions.
The ADC and Atiku have rejected the judgment and indicated plans to appeal the ruling.
