David Mark’s Sack: ADC Accuses APC Of Plot To Impose One-Party Rule

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to destabilise Nigeria through what it described as the manipulation of the judiciary to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC alleged that the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, which sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party and affected the political standing of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, was a desperate attempt to frustrate the opposition and undermine Nigerians’ democratic rights.

The party also linked the timing of the judgment to the massive turnout at its presidential campaign rally in Sokoto on Wednesday, alleging that the ruling party was unsettled by the growing popularity of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the judgment as legally indefensible, insisting that it would challenge the decision through every available judicial process.

The party said the judgment came barely 24 hours after thousands of supporters gathered in Sokoto to demonstrate their support for the ADC and its promise to make life affordable for Nigerians.

“We have reasons to believe that the judgment had long been written on this case. The Sokoto rally was simply a trigger that stampeded its delivery,” the statement said.

The ADC argued that the judgment went beyond the political fortunes of Atiku Abubakar and David Mark, warning that its implications could affect thousands of candidates seeking elective positions at the local, state and federal levels.

“Do these people understand what they are playing with? This is not about Atiku Abubakar or David Mark. It is about the democratic rights of Nigerians to freely choose their own leaders. It is about the rights of thousands of candidates to participate in a democratic process,” the party stated.

Citing an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, the ADC maintained that the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) had already been affirmed as the legitimate leadership of the party.

According to the party, the earlier judgment also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Mark-led leadership.

It argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal over, review, vary or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal jurisdiction.

The ADC, however, said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Justice Lifu’s judgment to establish its precise terms, scope and consequential orders.

The opposition party further accused the APC of resorting to judicial controversies whenever it perceived a growing threat from opposition forces.

It warned the ruling party against what it described as a dangerous attempt to eliminate political competition through court proceedings.

“We warn the APC: do not play with fires you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” the statement added.

Questioning the APC’s confidence in its performance and electoral popularity, the ADC asked why the ruling party would be afraid of competition if it believed Nigerians were satisfied with its policies and candidates.

The party also appealed to the judiciary not to allow itself to be used to impose what it described as dictatorship on the country.

It urged its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the party pursues available legal options to challenge the judgment.

The ADC maintained that the controversy was not merely about its leadership or the political ambition of individual candidates but the protection of Nigeria’s democracy and the right of citizens to freely elect their leaders.

The allegations against the APC and the judiciary were claims made by the ADC in its statement.