The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Court of Appeal judgement setting aside a Federal High Court ruling that sought the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The Atiku Media Office described Tuesday’s judgement as a victory for democracy and said it had removed every legal obstacle that could have affected the ADC’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the media office said the appellate court’s decision, together with an earlier Federal High Court judgement affirming the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the party, had resolved all legal disputes surrounding the ADC’s status and leadership.
“With this Court of Appeal judgement validating the legal status of ADC plus the judgement of Hon. Justice Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, affirming the election of the Senator David Mark-led executive of ADC, the leading opposition party has finally navigated its way to the ballot for the 2027 general elections, as there’s no suit pending that challenges its leadership again,” the statement said.
Atiku’s Camp Praises Appeal Court
The Atiku Media Office commended the Court of Appeal for overturning the lower court’s decision.
“We warmly welcome the landmark judgement of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the erroneous judgement of the Federal High Court that sought to remove the African Democratic Congress (and other political parties) from Nigeria’s democratic space,” the statement read.
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It also praised the appellate court justices, describing the ruling as proof of the judiciary’s commitment to constitutional democracy.
“We congratulate the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, fidelity to the Constitution and unwavering commitment to justice. Their judgment is a reassuring affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and the ultimate guardian of constitutional democracy.”
Court Faults Lower Court’s Decision
According to the statement, the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court judgement was a nullity because it was delivered despite an existing order of the appellate court.
It also said the appellate court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the suit and described their claims as speculative and without legal merit.
The media office added that the court clarified the interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution, holding that the provision should be read disjunctively rather than conjunctively.
It also noted that the suit was filed while the Osun and Ekiti election cycles were still ongoing, making the case premature.
The statement further said the appellate court criticised the trial court for disregarding affidavit evidence filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which confirmed that the ADC and the other affected political parties had complied with constitutional and statutory requirements.
“Having accepted INEC’s evidence, the lower court had no legal basis to manufacture additional conditions in order to arrive at what the Court of Appeal rightly described as a perverse decision,” it said.
Verdict Strengthens Democracy, Says Media Office
The Atiku Media Office said the judgement was significant not only for the ADC but also for Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that it protects political pluralism and the right of parties to participate in elections.
“This judgement is far more than a legal victory for the ADC. It is a victory for every Nigerian who believes that democracy must be nurtured through free political competition rather than strangled through speculative litigation,” the statement added.
The media office also warned against attempts to use the courts and other state institutions to weaken political opponents ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We urge anti-democratic forces to resist the dangerous temptation of using the courts and other institutions of the state as instruments of political engineering. The judiciary must never be transformed into a battlefield for eliminating political competitors or shrinking the democratic space,” it said.
It maintained that electoral contests should be decided by voters at the polls rather than through litigation.
The judgement comes as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC emerging as a major opposition platform following the entry of prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark.
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.