The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC PCC) has rejected the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and voided the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
The Council, in a statement on Thursday, described the judgment as an academic exercise overtaken by events.
It said the party’s legal team has commenced the process of challenging the decision at the Court of Appeal.
It also maintained that the Mark-led leadership emerged through due process and that all actions taken, including the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections, remain valid and lawful.
In a statement on Thursday by its Director, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Council said that the ruling has no practical effect and cannot override or displace an existing judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject matter.
It recalled that the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman, had examined the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Senator Mark and Aregbesola and held that the transfer of leadership from Chief Ralph Nwosu to Senator Mark did not contravene the provisions of the party’s constitution.
It stated that Justice Liman had recognised the disputed July 2, 2025 meeting as a stakeholders’ meeting which preceded the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025, where Senator Mark and Aregbesola emerged as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.
According to the Council, the NEC meeting was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It argued that the earlier judgment could not simply be disregarded by a subsequent pronouncement without due consideration of the principles governing judicial authority and the administration of justice.
“The leadership question has already been subjected to judicial scrutiny by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. It is therefore untenable to suggest that a subsequent pronouncement can simply erase or displace an existing judicial decision,” the Council said.
The ADC PCC said it regarded Thursday’s ruling as an exercise in futility, stressing that its legal team was already taking immediate steps to seek appropriate relief and challenge the judgment on appeal.
It expressed concern over the timing of the judgment, linking it to what it described as the growing political momentum of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It cited the recent APC presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna and the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto, arguing that the contrasting public reception demonstrated what it described as growing national support for the opposition party.
The Council alleged that the ruling party was increasingly relying on legal and institutional avenues to frustrate the ADC’s electoral campaign rather than confronting the opposition at the political level.
The ADC PCC also recalled that Justice Lifu had previously delivered a judgment declaring the party deregistered, a decision which, according to the Council, was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal.
It further said it was aware of developments surrounding the latest proceedings, including allegations of pressure and political interference, while stressing that the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judiciary must be protected.
“The judiciary must never be compromised or sacrificed on the altar of partisan political interests,” the Council said.
It nevertheless urged its members, candidates and supporters across the country to remain calm, vigilant and focused on their campaigns, assuring them that the party was taking all necessary legal and political steps to address the development.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator David Mark remains the National Chairman recognised by the party, while Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola remains its National Secretary,” the Council said.
The ADC PCC maintained that the latest development would not distract the party from its campaign, insisting that its commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative remained unchanged.
It also called on Nigerians not to be distracted by the judgment but to remain committed to the defence of multiparty democracy, political pluralism and the constitutional right of citizens to freely choose their leaders.
The Council said its legal team was seeking appropriate interim relief, including a stay of execution where legally applicable, and would pursue an appeal against the judgment.
It added: “The ADC is not distracted. The campaign continues. The struggle for a better Nigeria remains unstoppable.”