The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment nullifying its National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidating the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party said it would challenge the judgment through all available judicial processes, arguing that the decision raised serious concerns about the political rights of its members and candidates ahead of the elections.

Also read: FCCPC moves to enforce food fortification standards

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed its position in a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

In the statement titled, ‘Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire’, the ADC questioned the timing of the ruling, suggesting that it came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party argued that the judgment could affect thousands of its members seeking elective positions across the country, insisting that the dispute extended beyond Atiku and Mark to the democratic rights of Nigerians.

It said the ruling threatened the ability of its supporters and candidates to participate in the electoral process.

The ADC also challenged the judgment by citing an earlier decision delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.

According to the party, the earlier judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise its leadership.

The ADC maintained that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over, review or nullify a subsisting judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.

It consequently rejected any orders arising from what it described as a flawed determination.

However, the party said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the latest judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and operative orders.

The ADC also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to undermine opposition activities ahead of the next general elections, urging the judiciary to uphold democratic principles and protect political competition.

It called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the party pursued legal avenues to challenge the decision.

The latest development followed a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, which nullified the leadership of the Mark-led ADC and invalidated decisions taken under the leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the party’s constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also directed INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the ruling nullified actions taken by the Mark-led leadership since July 2025.

Also read: FCCPC moves to enforce food fortification standards

Another lawyer representing the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the decision effectively left the party without candidates for the 2027 presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.