The African Democratic Congress has alleged that the legal challenge against its leadership is part of an attempt to prevent the party from presenting candidates in the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Legal Adviser, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, said the case was intended to weaken the ADC and discour age Nigerians who see the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as an alternative ahead of the elections.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, Osunbor accused interests within the ruling All Progressives Congress of supporting the legal action. He urged ADC members and supporters to remain committed despite the court ruling. He said the challenge was aimed at discouraging Nigerians who look to the ADC and Atiku for solutions to insecurity, poverty, poor governance and what he described as disregard for citizens’ democratic rights.
Osunbor argued that political leadership should be determined by voters rather than a few individuals using the judiciary and other government institutions to influence the electoral process. His comments followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, which nullified the leadership of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark. The court also invalidated decisions taken under the leadership, including Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
ADC Questions Legal Challenge
Osunbor alleged that the case against the David Mark-led leadership was backed by interests within the APC. He questioned whether the claimant, Nafiu Bala Gombe, would have instituted the case without support from influential political figures, claiming that Gombe had previously resigned.
The ADC legal adviser also raised concerns about the reassignment of the case from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Peter Lifu, suggesting that the process surrounding the matter required scrutiny. According to him, the main objective of the legal challenge was to stop the ADC from conducting its primaries and fielding candidates in the next general elections.
Party Plans Appeal
Osunbor disclosed that the party had not yet obtained the certified true copy of the judgment. He said the ADC would study the court’s decision before taking further legal steps. He added that the party intended to file a motion for a stay of execution and appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
Despite the ruling, Osunbor maintained that Atiku’s presidential ticket remained valid, citing previous court decisions which he said had recognized the David Mark-led National Working Committee. When asked whether the party had an alternative candidate if the appeal failed, he described the possibility as hypothetical, explaining that the ADC had not formally met to discuss the judgment. He urged members and supporters to continue participating in party activities, insisting that the ruling should not weaken their confidence in the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC believes the court case against its leadership is intended to stop it from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections. The party plans to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and has urged its supporters to remain committed.
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