Former Senate President David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Monday urged party members and candidates not to be discouraged after a Federal High Court ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
Receiving a delegation of the party’s candidates in Abuja, Mark described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” and pledged to challenge it in the courts.
“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process,” he said, noting that the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed Oct. 27, 2027, for further hearing. He questioned the validity of a lower-court ruling issued while a subsisting appellate order remained in force.
Mark reassured members and supporters that the ADC would remain on the ballot for the 2027 general election and urged calm. “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 said.
He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and offering Nigerians a credible political alternative ahead of next year’s polls.
The High Court judgment has reignited debate about the legal status of some registered political parties and its potential effects on Nigeria’s democratic process as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
