NDC warns judiciary against using court rulings to undermine democracy

Following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that voided the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership and the primary process which had chosen former Vice‑President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential nominee, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) released a declaration on 6 November 2026 calling on the Nigerian judiciary to protect its autonomy.

The court, led by Justice Peter Lifu, declared the ADC caretaker committee headed by Senator David Mark illegal and dismissed all actions taken by that committee, including the nomination of Atiku. The decision followed the court’s earlier ruling that sacked the ADC executives and nullified their activities.

In its statement, the NDC expressed concern that such judgments, if not handled carefully, could give the impression that courts are being used to suppress opposition parties. The party warned that the trend of high‑court rulings could further erode the prospects of a multi‑party democracy, especially under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Background

The ADC had announced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its presidential flag‑bearer after a primary that the court later found to have been conducted by an illegal caretaker committee. Atiku’s name had been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a presidential candidate, but he subsequently chose former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

Osa Director, the NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, signed the document late on Thursday evening, emphasizing the necessity for judicial neutrality while describing the courts as the final refuge for ordinary citizens.

Why it matters

The ruling directly affects the ADC’s ability to participate in the 2027 general elections. By invalidating the party’s leadership and primary, the court effectively barred the ADC from fielding a candidate, thereby reducing the number of parties contesting the polls. The NDC argues that this could diminish the competitive nature of Nigeria’s electoral system, which is already perceived as under threat from the ruling APC‑led government.

The decision also raises concerns about the judiciary’s independence. If courts are perceived as tools for political parties to eliminate rivals, public confidence in the legal system could be undermined.

What happens next

The NDC has called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay and requested that the appellate court grant an accelerated hearing. No further dates or procedural steps have been announced by the court or the ADC in the sources provided.