The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming its current leadership as a major victory for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, saying the decision has effectively brought to an end attempts to destabilise the opposition through the courts.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party welcomed the judgment delivered by Justice M. S. Liman in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, filed by Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide against the ADC and four others.
According to the party, the court struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as the duly elected national officers of the ADC.
The court held that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party and was therefore not justiciable before the Federal High Court. It also ruled that the matter was not a pre-election dispute within the court’s constitutional jurisdiction, that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the action, and that he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the ADC Constitution before approaching the court.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC said the ruling reaffirmed its longstanding position that questions relating to party leadership are internal matters to be resolved in accordance with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The party maintained that the emergence of Senator David Mark and the current National Working Committee complied with both the law and the ADC Constitution.
The opposition party further expressed hope that the judgment would put an end to what it described as repeated attempts to use the judiciary to destabilise opposition parties and promote a one-party state in Nigeria.
“It is our hope that this judgment will help bring to an end all the unnecessary distractions and attempts at judicial manipulation by those who are hell-bent on destabilising the opposition and foisting a one-party rule on the country,” the statement said.
The ADC argued that, at a time when Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment and declining economic opportunities, opposition parties should be allowed to focus on presenting alternative policies rather than defending themselves against what it described as contrived legal challenges.
While celebrating the judgment, the party said it would remain vigilant, insisting that anti-democratic forces were still determined to undermine the country’s democratic process.
The ADC also commended Justice Liman for what it described as his courage in delivering the judgment and particularly praised the court’s decision to award costs against the plaintiff and his lawyers, expressing hope that the sanctions would discourage similar suits in the future.
The party thanked its members, supporters and Nigerians who have continued to support it, urging them to remain united and focused as it prepares for future political contests.
