Two pro-democracy organisations, the Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG) and the Campaign for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), have condemned a Federal High Court judgment they say nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark.
The groups described the judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja on November 5, 2026, as conflicting with an earlier ruling and an abuse of court process.
In a joint statement signed by CDJ Acting Secretary Kolawole Bello and CACOBAG Chairman Toyin Raheem, the organisations said the ruling in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 was inconsistent with a judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
They said Justice Liman had affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise it. The groups argued that the earlier judgment remained in force because it had not been set aside by the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
They questioned whether a judge of coordinate jurisdiction could issue a ruling that effectively overturned the decision of another Federal High Court judge. Citing Madukolu v. Nkemdilim and Skenconsult v. Ukey, among other cases, they said courts of equal jurisdiction could not overrule one another.
The organisations also described the suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe as an abuse of court process, arguing that the principles of res judicata and issue estoppel should prevent matters already determined by a competent court from being relitigated.
They warned that conflicting judgments could weaken public confidence in the judiciary and threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. They also said the ruling could affect opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups urged the National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to examine the circumstances surrounding the conflicting judgments and address what they described as the growing use of forum shopping to abuse court processes.
They called on Atiku and the ADC to appeal the judgment, and urged the United Action for Democracy and other pro-democracy organisations to mobilise in defence of the country’s multiparty system.
The statement recalled the contributions of pro-democracy activists, including Gani Fawehinmi, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Balarabe Musa and Ayo Adebanjo, saying their struggles for political freedom should not be allowed to go to waste.
The groups said Nigeria’s democracy must be defended through lawful means and urged the judiciary to remain impartial in carrying out its constitutional duties.
