National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has assured party members and supporters that the ADC will participate in the 2027 general elections despite a Federal High Court judgment ordering its deregistration, describing the ruling as a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
Mark’s reaction came amid growing criticism of Monday’s judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC alongside the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.
The judgment has drawn widespread condemnation from opposition figures, including African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, who accused the court of undermining multiparty democracy and disregarding a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal.
Receiving a delegation of ADC candidates in Abuja shortly after the judgment, Mark described the ruling as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy” and expressed confidence that superior courts would overturn it.
He argued that the decision was fundamentally flawed because the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed October 27, 2027, for further hearing.
“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Mark said.
The former Senate President questioned how a valid judgment could be delivered when an appellate court had reportedly directed that no further action be taken on the case pending determination of an appeal.
Seeking to calm concerns among party faithful, Mark urged ADC candidates, members and supporters nationwide not to panic over what he described as a temporary setback.
“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. 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 stated.
Earlier, Omoyele Sowore had denounced the deregistration order, describing it as undemocratic and inconsistent with the principles of a multiparty political system.
“I totally condemn the deregistration of political parties that have already concluded their primaries and are preparing for general elections. Such an action is undemocratic and unjustifiable in a multi-party democracy. It shall not stand,” Sowore wrote on his X handle.
Similarly, Paul Ibe, a key figure within the ADC and aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alleged that the judgment was part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the ruling represented the latest manifestation of attempts to diminish political competition and entrench a one-party system.
“The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state. The judgment is the height of judicial rascality,” Ibe said.
He maintained that the Federal High Court ought not to have proceeded with the case because Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 was already before the Court of Appeal.
Ibe claimed that a panel of the appellate court comprising Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebukunola A. Banjoko and Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had directed Justice Lifu to stay further proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“The Court of Appeal had ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the appeal before it,” he said.
The controversy has heightened political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures warning that efforts to shrink the number of political parties could weaken democratic participation and limit electoral choices available to Nigerians.
While legal experts expect the matter to return to the appellate courts, ADC leaders insist the party remains legally viable and will continue preparations for the next general elections.
Mark reiterated that the party would remain committed to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible political alternative, insisting that no court ruling would derail its political aspirations.
The Atlantic Bell reports that for opposition politicians, however, the central issue extends beyond the fate of the affected parties to concerns over judicial processes and the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, particularly amid allegations that a subsisting Court of Appeal order was ignored before the judgment was delivered.
