…Says judgment an attack on Nigeria’s democracy
By Our Reporter
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has assured members, supporters and candidates of the party that there is no cause for alarm over the Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the party and four others.
Reacting to Monday’s judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Mark described the decision as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy” and expressed confidence that it would be overturned by higher courts.
The former Senate President gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of ADC candidates who paid him a visit in Abuja shortly after the court ruling.
Justice Lifu had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), following a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
However, Mark maintained that the judgment could not stand in law, arguing that the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of proceedings in the matter and adjourned further hearing to October 27, 2027.
He questioned the validity of a judgment delivered while a subsisting order of the appellate court remained in force.
“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” he stated.
The ADC national chairman urged party faithful across the country to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the party would overcome the legal challenge through the judicial process.
He stressed that the ruling would not affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” Mark said.
He further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to deepening democratic governance and providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible political alternative ahead of the next general elections.
Meanwhile, ADC supporters and candidates have been urged by the party leadership to remain steadfast and continue mobilisation efforts while awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
Read the press statement below:
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has called on party members, supporters and candidates on the platform of the party not to despair over the judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which purportedly ordered the deregistration of the ADC and some other political parties.
Senator Mark, in a swift reaction while receiving a delegation of the party’s candidates who paid him a visit in Abuja on Monday, described the judgement as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” assuring party faithful that the decision would be overturned by superior courts.
He recalled that the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and adjourned further hearing to October 27, 2027. He, therefore, questioned how a judgement could validly be delivered while the subsisting order of the appellate court remained in force.
The judgement cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Senator Mark stated.
He urged ADC candidates and supporters across the country to remain calm, focused and committed to the party’s mission, stressing that there was no cause for alarm.
“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he added.
Senator Mark further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the National Chairman, ADC
