Lifu Judgment: ADC Accuses APC Of Plotting To Destabilise Nigeria

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to destabilise Nigeria through what it described as the manipulation of judicial processes to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party stated this in its reaction to Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which invalidated the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and raised questions over the validity of the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the judgment as a desperate attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians their democratic right to freely choose their leaders.

The party also linked the timing of the judgment to the massive turnout at its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto on Wednesday, alleging that the impressive reception had thrown the ruling party into panic mode.

According to Abdullahi, the judgment appeared to have been deliberately accelerated following the rally, which he claimed attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters.
“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,” the statement said.

The ADC argued that the implications of the judgment went beyond the political fortunes of Atiku and David Mark, warning that it could affect thousands of its candidates seeking elective positions at the local, state and federal levels.

“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,” the party stated.

Questioning the legal foundation of the judgment, the ADC cited an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, delivered on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
It maintained that the earlier judgment had 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 sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.

It consequently rejected any consequential orders arising from what it described as a legally indefensible determination, adding, however, that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Thursday’s judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and operative orders.

The opposition party vowed to challenge the judgment through every available judicial process, insisting that it would not surrender its political mandate or allow what it described as an attempt to eliminate political competition.

The ADC further accused the APC of deploying judicial controversies whenever the opposition appeared to be gaining political momentum, alleging that such actions were part of a wider attempt to frustrate the emergence of a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
In particularly strong language, the party warned the ruling party against what it described as a dangerous attempt to undermine the country’s peace and stability in its bid to retain power.
“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,” the statement declared.

The ADC questioned why the ruling party would be apprehensive about political competition if it genuinely believed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had performed well and enjoyed widespread public support.
“If the President thinks he has performed well in office, why is he afraid of competition? If the APC thinks that its policies and candidates are popular, why don’t they subject themselves to free and fair elections?” it asked.

The party also appealed to the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to impose what it called a dictatorship on Nigeria, insisting that the country’s democracy must be protected from partisan political interests.
While urging its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, the ADC assured supporters that it would pursue all available legal avenues to address the development.
“This is not just about the ADC or Atiku Abubakar; it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” the statement added.