Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment nullifying its leadership structure and the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The party also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a political plot to destabilise the country, warning that attempts to undermine opposition parties could plunge Nigeria into political turmoil.
The ADC’s reaction followed a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party illegal.
The court also invalidated decisions taken by the caretaker committee, including the process through which Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential flag-bearer for the 2027 elections.
The judgment was delivered in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
Justice Lifu ruled in favour of Gombe, raising fresh uncertainty over the party’s leadership and its preparations for the next general election.
However, the ADC has strongly rejected the decision, maintaining that the judgment would not derail its political ambitions or prevent it from participating in the 2027 elections.
The party accused the APC of using political and legal manoeuvres to weaken opposition forces, alleging that the ruling party was determined to create instability in the country by undermining democratic competition.
Its warning that Nigeria could be set on fire reflects growing tensions between the opposition and the governing party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development is another major setback for the ADC, which has increasingly positioned itself as a rallying platform for opposition figures seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has emerged as a central figure in the ADC’s opposition coalition.
The court ruling has therefore raised fresh questions about the party’s legal standing, its leadership and the future of Atiku’s presidential ambition.
The ADC is expected to pursue legal options to challenge the judgment, setting the stage for another round of political and legal battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
