Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has hailed Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment that affirmed David Mark-led leadership of the party, saying the ruling has strengthened the opposition’s resolve ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku made the declaration after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit challenging the leadership of the party under former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Musa Liman held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case because it concerned the internal affairs of a political party.
The judge also ruled that the plaintiff, House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, lacked the legal standing to institute the suit and failed to exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court.
RELATED NEWS:
- Court Upholds David Mark-led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s suit
- ADC Faction Rejects Atiku’s Presidential Claim, Declares Chris Uba as 2027 Flag Bearer
- 2027: Atiku Appoints Kenneth Okonkwo as Campaign Spokesperson
- Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in Mark’s Appeal Over ADC Leadership Crisis
- Mark Assures ADC will Remain on Ballot as Court Hears Nafiu-Bala suit Friday
The court upheld the emergence of Mark as national chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, declaring that the process complied with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026.
Atiku Describes Judgement As Victory for Constitutional Democracy
However, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
He said the judgment affirmed the long-held position that disputes over party leadership are internal matters and should not be used as political weapons.
“The court could not have been clearer,” Atiku said. “It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted the internal remedies provided by the party’s constitution nor established the locus standi required to invoke the jurisdiction of the court.”
He commended Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to become “an extension of partisan political warfare.”
Atiku also alleged that there had been attempts to weaken opposition parties through litigation and institutional pressure, but insisted that such efforts would not succeed.
He maintained that the David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process and urged party members to remain united as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.
The former vice president said the ADC remained a credible platform for Nigerians seeking political change.
David Mark Hails Judgement
Reacting to the judgment, David Mark described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark said the decision vindicated the party’s position that its leadership emerged through due process.
He urged members to remain united, saying the judgment reinforced the constitutional right of political parties to manage their affairs without external interference.
The ADC also welcomed the verdict.
National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the judgment confirmed that the emergence of the current leadership complied with the party’s constitution and electoral laws.
He expressed hope that the ruling would end the series of legal challenges against the party’s leadership and allow the ADC to focus on building a strong opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.