Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark.
Obi described the development as shocking and unsettling, warning that uncertainty surrounding political parties and candidates could affect the 2027 general election.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, nullified the Mark-led ADC leadership and invalidated all decisions taken by the leadership.
Justice Peter Lifu also declared illegal the party’s caretaker committee, which conducted the primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman, North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and his team took control of the party.
Reacting to the ruling, Obi said he respected the judiciary but expressed concern about the timing of the judgment, coming just months before the general election.
“I have received with shock the news of an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all the actions he has taken. This is unsettling and surprising.
“I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law. My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty.”
He accused the ruling party of creating instability within opposition parties, claiming that similar situations had affected him in the Labour Party.
Obi also stressed that voters, rather than the courts, should determine who leads the country through democratic elections.
“One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders. I trust in the judiciary. As a public officer, I have shown deep respect for the judiciary. I appeal that we protect the integrity of democracy by not undermining the free and fair choice of candidates.”
He further called for stronger protection of opposition parties, warning against actions that could weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.
“This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive,” he stressed.
